
Class__852L7 



Book 



CofiyrightN?. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr 




H. H. HARRINGTON 



/ 






The History of the A. & M. 

College 



Trouble 1908 



BY 

PAUL D. CASEY, Class 1908 

Local Editor "Battalion," Associate Editor "Long Horn" '08. 
Representative Press Correspondents Bureau. 



Price, One Dollar 



JULY, 1908 



J. S. HILL & COMPANY 

WACO, TEXAS 



i.ib.'fARYof CONGHtSS 
iwuoupies ii«c«ii«M 

AUG 20 )yod 
cepY a. 






3n Commemoration 

Of the gentlemanly conduct and demeanor of 
the excellent student body at the Agricultural 
and Mechanical College of Texas during the 
session 1907-08, this book is written. 



Entered ac(;ording- to Act of Congress in the year 
1908, by Paul D. Casey, in the office of Librarian of 
Conffress at Wasliinsrton, D. C. 



nrfjanfeg anb atcfenotolebgement. 

I wish to thank each and every one that has been of 
assistance to me in the preparation and distribution of this 
book. The encouragement of friends has been of much 
assistance, while the criticisms of those that oppose my 
views have spurred me on to greater efforts. 

Acknowledgment is hereby made for the use of clip- 
pings from the Farm and Ranch, The Hittite, The Dallas- 
Galveston Neius, The Houston Post and Chronicle. Also 
for cuts, to the Long Horn, Farm and Ranch and the 
Houston Chronicle. 

Acknowledgment is made to Sir Andrew Cathcart for 

legal advice. 

"K C" 



Jforetoorb* 



In presenting this history of the trouble at the A. & M. College during 
the year 1908, I wish to make but one plea, — Consider the case on its merits. 
Do not refuse to render a mental verdict in accordance with the merits. of 
the contending parties because the students have "rebelled." We considered 
that almost unexcusable offense long and thoroughly before we acted. And 
in our deliberations we felt that prudence dictated that regularly constituted 
authority should not be trifled with for light and transient causes or mere 
personal grievances. Our experience and judgment taught us that it was 
better to suffer such, as long as it was sufferable. But it did not end with 
this, for upon this were piled a long train of abuses and usurpations, appar- 
ently originating from the head of the institution, or at least carried on 
within his knowledge and approbation. With not a single counteracting 
deed coming from the aggressor to stay or pacify the sense of justice, that 
has a sacred and treasured place in the heart of every true American, a 
breaking point is sure to be reached. There is a limit to the endurance of 
those who live in the "land of the free and the home of the brave." The 
limit was reached when President Harrington showed disrespect to our sick 
comrades, and his personal animosity prompted him to unjustly attack a true 
friend of the students, while this friend was performing his duty toward the 
sick students under his care in the hospital. 

Our highest and noblest senses were shocked as we were forced to submit 
to such indignities being heaped upon our friend and comrades; self was 
forgotten — we rallied to our friend, then as we will each and every one of 
us now and in the future, even it be with our lives. We will always stand by 
our friends, and may the displeasure of the Great Being be visited on the 
selfish mortal guilty of infelicity. 

Unanimously the student body, class by class, commended Dr. Joe Gil- 
bert and Mrs. Mary Brittnelle, the nurse. She only because it was deserved, 
and he in adition to the fact that his unselfish labors deserved it; because 
he was attacked by a person whom we had every reason to believe would 
stoop to stain his high position to satisfy a personal grievance in such a 
manner that not only Dr. Gilbert would suffer from it, but also would his 
dearly beloved and respected wife, who had as an utter stranger been saved 
from death in the dark rolling waters of the devastating Galveston flood, 
September 8th, 1900. Is it any wonder that we should with all the candor 
in the warm hearts of five hundred unselfish students pass resolutions ex- 
pressive of our appreciation? I say without the least tinge of regret that 



then the first rule of the school was broken — you say how? The meetings 
were held without giving the president the reason for holding them. 

The resolutions were shown Dr. Gilbert. In his kind manner which has 
so appealed to the students, he thanked us, but requested that we desist 
from publishing them, as he did not desire notoriety. Incidentally he in- 
formed the class representatives that there were no differences between him- 
self and Dr. Harrington, that they had amiably settled them. His request 
was granted; the expressions of heartfelt appreciations were destroyed. The 
incident was at an end — no it was not at an end — Dr. Gilbert passed from it, 
however, but Dr. Harrington's acts remained before us. 

Some ten days later the rumor came from Austin that the Board were 
actually to meet to consider the conduct of Dr. Harrington. Our chance 
had come. The right of petition was at our disposal— we used it— we were 
ignored— we felt that we must leave the college. Capt. Moses, another dearly 
loved friend of the students, heard of it. And with tears of emotion in his 
eyes, said: "Of all you do, don't leave the college." The rest is history and 
will be dealt with later. 

With this appeal to you, one who is now enjoying liberty, the direct re- 
sults of two rebellions against regularly constituted authority because of 
unbearable oppressions— 1776-1836— I ask that this history of the unfortunate 
affair be read with a heart free from prejudice. 

To the ones who are not directly informed of the affair, I wish to say that 
ninety-five per cent of all who have had an opportunity to personally come 
in contact with the conditions themselves, viz: the patrons, the alumni — and 
the visitors of the Farmers' Congress, do not hold that the students have 
been guilty of an offense that should prevent their cause from being consid- 
ered and decided on its merits. Very respectfully submitted, 

PAUL D. CASEY. 



8 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

CHAPTER I. 

STUDENT LIFE. 
"Know whom ye judge, that ye judge justly." 

For one to understand the actions of any nation, state, or group of 
people correctly, it is necessary that the life, characteristics, surroundings, 
and daily routine of living be fully understood. 

If one does not belong to this group they are either liable to come to 
a decision as if the party in question was subject to the same circumstances 
as the one doing the judging, or else proper allowance will not be made for 
the different conditions. , . . .v, • , +• f ti.^ 

This principle should have special emphasis, m the consideration ot the 
A & M College trouble. The boys are students and at the college they are 
under very different circumstances to any other student body in the state. 




T. J. BEESLEY 

President of the Senior Class 
of 1908 



CHAS. HOMEYER 

Senior Captain of the Battalion 
1907-08 



Therefore I think it is necesary for one who is not fully acquainted with 
this college to have a better understanding of the conditions surrounding the 
trouble before a just and impartial verdict can be arrived at. . ^ . ^ -, 

The location of the A. & M. College in a thinly populated district, hve 
miles from the nearest town, together with the fact that it is not co-educa- 
tional throws the boys continually in one another's company. The military 
discipline and barrack life bears toward the same end. There being 
no fraternities, the divisions of the student body are restricted to the four 
classes Senior, Junior, Sophomore and Freshman, corresponding to the lengtn 
of time they have been at college, and the four military companies. A, 
"B " "C " and "D," according to the individual height of the students. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 9 

And as every class has its members practically equally divided between 
the companies, and the companies have men from all the classes, there are 
no well-defined lines of division. 

The cadets have "company spirit" that prevents class division from being 
carried to an extrem.e, while the "class spirit" prevents company associations 
from being carried to a selfish end. Just enough of the two opposing organi- 
zations to prevent there being any harmful effects of either, giving a nearly 
perfect democratic organization, free from clannishness as far as the student 
body is itself concerned. 

In the government of the students among themselves, the class division 
has a shade the best of the company organization, thus putting the senior 
class in control. Then follows the .Junior^ Sophomores and Freshmen in 
order. Although no one class claims or tries to have any influence or con- 
trol over any other class, yet under normal conditions the classes have re- 
spect for the action of every higher class, and to a less degree for each 
lower class. 

Then it follows that the Senior Class frames and directs the policies 
and movements that are of importance to the whole corps of cadets in all 
college movements like athletics, clubs, publications, etc. The more im- 
portant offices go to the Seniors, while the assistants are selected from the 
leaders of the lower classes; thus continually the system develops new men 
for the places of control that are each year relinquished by the Seniors on 
leaving. 

There are important reasons why the Seniors should be, and are. the 
ruling factors among any student body that might be named. They are 
older, have been at the college longer, and consequently are more exper- 
ienced. The application of nature's law of the survival of the fittest, leaves 
twenty per cent of the number that originally entered, and these after four 
years of the same training and association together find very little difficulty 
in coming to the same conclusions, and the unanimity of the decisions of .the 
Senior Class are very characteristic as opposed to the factions and divisions 
of the lower classes. 

In carrying on the work of the organizations and enterprises there is no 
money consideration but to the one delegated the honor is the consideration, 
the kind that most appeals to the honest pride of any ambitious young 
American and he does his duty because it is duty, and is for the good of 
the class, the student body, and school. He knows no such word as self 
interest when working for the welfare of the college. 

The absence of any temptation for what is usually termed "grafting" gives 
the better side of his nature a chance to develop a perfect horror for the 
practices of most men of today who are placed in public positions where they 
often manage things to suit their social and financial interests. 

Between students there exists perhaps a truer form of general respect, one 
. for another; without the slightest trace of hypocrisy toward politeness than 
can be found in any other modern social organization. The list of causes 
which brings a group of persons together as students, does not contain the 
ever ready spirit to prey on one another. Their motives so wholly differ from 
those that influence the actions of people in the middle of the fight for 
existence, that they have an opportunity to build up a character that has an 
abhorrence for all forms of self worship and in its place holds up self 
respect. The respect and politeness that exists between students can hardly 
be questioned as not being the most real and genuine to be found anywhere. 
Not that it is a set principle to be learned, but because the conditions favor 
it and it soon becomes an attribute of the student. On account of the large 
number who are generally subject to the same rules and regulations gov- 
erning all the duties of all the students, there comes a realization of equality. 
The lofty are humbled and the lowly are elevated and, so a level is reached, 



10 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



and when this condition is arrived at it may be said by a student "I am as 
good as any other normal student." 

When such conditions as this occur in a social unit, is it to be wondered 
that favoritism and arbitrary dealings prove highly distasteful. Students 




JOE UTAY 



Captain Football Team 1907, who holds letter 

showiiifr Dr. ilai-rintrtoii broke faith 

With Football .Men. 



CLARENCE SYMES 

President of the Sophomore Class. 

will put up with most anything reasonable without a murmur if it applies 
to all; but there is sure to be a "howl" when there are evidences of par- 
tiality and arbitrary actions. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 11 

Regarding these principlea, some of which are to be found in all colleges 
— and I believe that in very few schools are they more pronounced than here 
— the points favoring such conditions are: This is an agricultural and me- 
chanical college, and this fact alone prevents the student body from contend- 
ing with the wealthy boy who is merely going to college for social stand- 
ing. The students who come to the A. & M. to prepare themselves to lead 
in their calling have added another clause to the old Grecian's answer to what 
an education is for; he said it was to teach one how to live. We add — and 
how to make the living. 

Other conditions influencing the student body to a better moral develop- 
ment and higher ideals of official management that might be mentioned are, 
the college is not co-educational and is in somewhat of an isolated position. 
The strict military discipline and a full schedule; (there being six days of 
recitation) and a Sunday routine of chapel exercises and inspection that 
barely leaves time for one to read a Sunday newspaper. It the old saying, 
that only in an idle mind can the devil build a workshop, be literally true, 
old Satan has quit doing business among the students of the A. & M. College, 
on account of them not having any time to spare him, as will be seen by the 
following official schedule of a day's duties: 

HEADQUARTERS CORPS OP CADETS. 

College Station, Texas. 
February 29, 1908. 
General Orders No. 22. 

Commencing tomorrow, March 1, 1908, the following list of calls will be 
observed. 

Reveille, first call 6:00 a. m. 

Assembly 6:10 

Five minutes "setting up exercises" immediately after reveille. 

Breakfast, first call _ 6: 30 

Assembly — - 6 : 35 

Sick call, immediately after breakfast. 

Guard Mounting, first call 7:25 

Assembly 7 : 30 

Call to Quarters, first period 7:55 

Assembly : 8 : 00 

Second Period — - 8: 55 

Assembly - 10 : 00 

Third 'Period .- 9 : 55 

Assembly 11 : 00 

Fourth Period 10:55 

Assembly -- 11:00 

Fifth Period 11:55 

Assembly 12 : 00 m. 

Recall 12 : 50 p. m. 

Dinner Call 12 : 55 

Assembly 1 : 00 

First Sergeant's and Sick Call immediately after dinner. 

Call to Quarters and Sixth Period 1:55 

Assembly 2 : 00 

Seventh Period 2 : 55 

Assembly 3 : 00 

Recall 4:30 

Drills and Ceremonies, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

First Call 4 : 40 

Assembly _ 4:45 



12 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Recall 5:40 

Retreat and Supper, first call 6:00 

Assembly 6 : 05 

Call to Quarters, except Saturdays 7:00 

Assembly 7 : 10 

Tattoo 10:00 

Taps 10:15 

Sunday Morning Inspection 8:30 

Chapel Exercises, Sunday, first call 11:20 

Assembly 11:30 

Chapel Exercises, Thursday, immediately after breakfast. 
By order of Captain Andrew Moses, Commandant: 

D. B. NETHERWOOD, 
Cadet First Lieutenant, Acting Adjutant. 

Bearing on this line of explanations of the conditions influencing student 
life at A. & M., I will add the following extracts from a late Bulletin of this 
college: 

"The poor man's son and the rich man's son stand on precisely the same 
footing at the Agricultural and Mechanical College. No professor or in- 
structor in the institution could at any time during the session, unless he 
were to make a special investigation of the matter, tell who were the sons 
of poor men and who were the sons of rich men in any of his classes. There 
is no community in the land in which the line between the rich and the poor 
is more completely obliterated, or that affords a young man of means fewer 
opportunities for displaying his wealth. All students dress alike, all eat 
the same kind of food at the same tables, all have to get up at the same 
time in the morning, and make their own fires, bring their water, clean their 
rooms, and during the day all have to do the same kind of work. And there 
are no social or other occasions when the poorest boys in the corps are 
placed at any disadvantage on account of their poverty. 

"Among the students there is nothing that resembles the caste spirit. A 
great many of them have to pay a part of their college expenses by doing 
any kind of work that does not interfere with their regular duties; but 
this does not in any way affect their standing with the officers of the college, 
or with their fellow students. Some of the most popular young men in the 
student body — men who stand highest in their classes and in athletic 
sports — may be seen in the dining room at meal time, wearing white jackets 
and aprons, waiting on the tables where their fellow students are eating. 
One would be perfectly safe in making the assertion that there is Bot an 
institution of learning in America where it is more nearly true, that each 
student is judged by what he is and what he does, rather than by his 
wealth, social position, or family connections." 

"As a result of all these and other influences, the morals of the stu- 
dents will compare very favorably with those of any other student body in 
the land. The students themselves are anxious to maintain a high standard 
of morality, and to make the reputation of the college a matter of pride to 
themselves and to the people of the State. There was a time when 
a great many people had the idea that the college was a sort of re- 
formatory, a place to send boys who were too wild and unruly to be 
managed at home, and in some portions of the state this impression still 
lingers. Whatever may have been the foundation for such an impression 
years ago there is certainly none whatever for it now. Most of the boys 
who come here have a very definite idea as to what they want to accomplish, 
and they go about their work with a singleness and seriousness of purpose 
that would impress even a casual observer. Those who come simply to have 
a good time soon find that they have come to the wrong place, and it does not 
take the college authorities long to reach the same conclusion. It is true 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 13 

that many boys whom their parents find hard to control, turn out to be 
faithful students; but the college has no patent methods of supplying the 
deficiencies of home training and of reforming incorrigible youngsters, and 
it is making no investigations along that line." 

In writing of the student body some time ago the local correspondent for 
the Post, said: 

"The student activities, his surroundings, his ideals, control very largely 
the kind of man developed from any college. That there are many things 
to be desired at the one technological school of Texas is evident, but that the 
opportunities for a healthful physical development are excellent, that the 
ideas of the students are sane and wholesome, that their attitude toward 
moral questions on the whole is good, that they are manly, truthful, clean 
minded, practical, loyal, and courageous, there can be no question among 
those who know them best." 

BARACK LIFE. 

There are five large brick buildings not including Goodwin Hall, and 
thirty-six tents occupied by the students, usually two to a room. During 
meals and while corps is away, and during study hours, sentinels are on con- 
stant duty, they Tseing posted for three reasons, (1) to carry out the regular 
army regime, (2) the protection of state and private property against fire 
and prowlers, and, (3) to insure order and prevent visiting during study 
hours. 

Each floor of a building constitutes a "division," and the highest ranking 
officer on it is the superintendent of that division. 

The superintendent's duties make him directly responsible to the com- 
mandant for the good behavior, tidiness and sanitary condition of his di- 
vision. His inspections are made at 6:30 a. m. and 10:15 p. m. and all 
irregularities are reported to the commandant. This, together with the 
inspection of the "Officer of the Day," which comes in the forenoon, and the 
Sunday morning inspection by the commandant insures perfect order, 
tidiness and punctuality, — three requirements for the proper formation of 
an all-round good character. 

The troubles that worry a new student may be illustrated by the follow- 
ing statement by a Freshman: 

"During the first month I had trouble in keeping house. Before I came 
to college I had never swept a floor, piled a bed or cleaned a room. I knew 
absolutely nothing about such work. I tried hard; but in spite of all effort 
the room would not look decent. I kept on trying and before long I could 
sweep as well as most anyone; I can arrange my bed neatly, and make my 
room appear orderly." 

I believe that if the cadets were judged by society's test of the neatness 
of house keeping, as an index to refinement and culture, they would cer- 
tainly receive a high rating. 

Under these conditions it is very unlikely that all of a sudden a body 
of five hundred men, whose ages range from seventeen to thirty years, (the 
leaders of thought averaging twenty-four years,) would unanimously and 
without warning become socialists and anarchists. It is also more unlikely 
that they would sacrifice their own chances for an education in catering to 
some leader, either student or other person; yet ignorant and uninformed 
outsiders and selfish seeking "insiders" have this year made such state- 
ments, by way of insinuation, a mode of making charges that does not re- 
quire the accuser to prove them. And the last charge was made for no other 
reason than to keep a large number of faculty men and instructors from 
coming out against Harrington under the penalty of being accused of being 
at the bottom of the whole trouble. 



14 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

CHAPTER II. 

THE GROWTH OF ANTAGONISM BETWEEN DR. HARINGTON 

AND THE STUDENTS. 

"You can't keep a good man down." 

The first notice of dissatisfaction among the cadets on record is the 
signing of the petition by the three upper classes on February 5, 1908, which 
was presented the next morning to the president of the Board by the sergeant 
of the guard. But this, however, is not the beginning of the dissatisfaction, 
but was the declaration that matters had become unbearable. The unpop- 
ularity of Dr. Harrington dates back to when he was professor of chemistry. 
However, this old dislike was buried when he became president, and would 
have never been known to the present students had things went well. 
In the "Long Horn" of the class of 1903 we find in the "Manual of Orni- 
thology" his characteristics portrayed in the "Falco-Molecularis." (See 
L'Envoy.) 

The antagonism is truly deep-seated and of long standing. A member of 
the old Board that elected Dr. Harrington states that the serious objection 
to electing Prof. Harrington to the presidency was his unpopularity with the 
students and the faculty. This member stated that prior, to the election 
in 1905 he had personally investigated the charge of unpopularity with stu- 
dents and others with whom Harrington came in contact, and found at that 
time a prevailing sentiment against him. Three gentlemen of high stand- 
ing in Bryan who had urged his election, state that the objections the sup- 
porters of Dr. Harrington had to overcome were his unpopularity with the 
students, the disdainful manner in which he had treated those whom he 
came in contact with, and his unsympathetic attitude towards the social and 
personal relations of college life. 

AT FIRST POPULAR. 

In justice to Dr. Harrington it must be said that during his first year, or 
at least the first part of the first year as president, he was very popular, and 
it may be said agreeable to the students. He usually spoke when passing 
a cadet, gave freely to assist student enterprises, attended and spoke at 
athletic rallies, granted permits and privileges disapproved by the command- 
ant; and in general taking issue with the students against Captain Sar- 
gent. An incident within the memory of the present upper classmen is 
when he sided with the Senior privates when they were trying to get the 
commandant to excuse them from reveille exercises. Another incident that 
might be recalled was when the president released from the guard room 
without conditions a large number of April 1st law breakers whom the 
commandant was trying to get to promise to behave the rest of the day. 
These, and many other acts for a time, made the President very popular; 
but soon the boys feegan to realize that in a large number of cases the presi- 
dent was acting for personal reasons alone. Such transactions as these 
when uncovered, which happened before the first year was over, resulted in a 
complete reaction. The boys realized Captain Sargent was right all along, 
and that the president had been doing as he did, merely for a selfish pur- 
pose. Such matters to .a mor^ or less degree happened in other departments. 

Numerous changes in the officers of the college did by no means bring 
the student nearer to the president, but on the contrary many of the 
changes the students knew resulted entirely from selfish motives on the 
part of the president. In any college there will be changes, but when the 
changes become very abnormal, a reason will be looked for, just as an ab- 
normally high death rate in a city calls for investigation, as it indicates 
that something is wrong somewhere. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 15 

Without in any way referring to the changes that take place this year 
(1908), I wish to call attention to the kaleidoscopic changes during the first 
two years of President Harrington's personal rule. 

Referring to Catalogue, February, 1906, we find: 

Faculty of 22: 8 removed. 1 by death, 1 by U. S. Government. Other in- 
structors 21 —15 removed. Officers 11,-6 removed. Station Staff 11,-7 re- 
moved 1 by U. S. Government. Feed Control 7,-5 removed. Student assist- 
ants 3,'— all removed. Total 44 removed (one by death, 3 by U. S. Govern- 
ment) out of 75. 

Now, see catalogue of 1908 and we find: 

Faculty 20—7 new. Other instructors 24, 18 new. Officers 9,-4 new; 
chaplain abolished. Station Staff 15,-10 new. Feed Control 11,-9 new. 
Student assistants 4,— all new. Total 52 new, out of 83. ^ ,v, • 

Now to be more personal I will give a list of the ones that severed their 
relations with the college during the two years named: 

Faculty Changes. 

1. R. H. Whitlock, Professor of Mechanical Engineering. 

2. F. S. Johnson, Professor of Farm Husbandry. 

3. F. R. Marshall, Professor of Animal Husbandry. 

4. T. C. Bittle, Professor of Languages. 

5. A. F. Conradi. Professor of Entomology. 

6. John A. Craig, Lecturer of Animal Husbandry. 

7. Howard M. Lanham, Surgeon. 

8. Capt. H. H. Sargent, Commandant. 

Instructors and Professors. ,i 

9. C. S. Potts, Associate Professor of History. 

10. E. C. Green, Associate Professor Plant Husbandry, 
ll". . A. A. Haskell, Associate Professor of Chemistry. 

12! Nathan Powell, Adjunct Professor of Languages. 

13. W. G. Drummond, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. 

14. O. D. Hargis, Instructor of Chemistry. 

15. G. C. Embry, Instructor of English. 

16. L. H. Scholl, Instructor of Agriculture. 

17. J. B. Bagley, Instructor of Textile Engineering. 

18. W. C. Nelson, Instructor of Drawing. 

19. D. E. Earle, Instructor of Carding and Spinning. 

20. A. C. Snyder, Instructor of Iron Work. 

21. A. G. Harral, Instructor of Wood Work. 

22. C. E. Bartholomew, Instructor of Entomology. 

23. W. L. Thomasson, Instructor of Mechanical Engineering. 

24. J. W. King, Instructor of English. 

Officers. 

25. J. G. Harrison, Treasurer. 

26. Ira Cain, Librarian. 

27. J. R. Robertson, Superintendent of Farm. 

28. W. E. Bachman, Physical Director. 

29. Miss I. J. Craig, Nurse. 

30. George Grupe. Superintendent of Light Plant. 

31. R. L. Bennett, Cotton Expert. 

32. W. A. Price, Assistant Cotton Expert. 

33. J. K. Robertson, Superintendent of Beeville Station. 



16 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Station Staff. 

34. B. C. Pittuck, Feed Inspector. 

35. C. O. Moser, Deputy Feed Inspector. 

36. M. S. Church, Deputy Feed Inspector. 

37. F. T. Foley, Stenographer. 

38. Miss M. H. Watkins, Stenographer. 

39. C. S. Poffenburger, Stenographer. 

40. Miss Patti McLennan, Stenographer. 

41. W. E. Berry, Stenographer. 

Student Assistants. 

42. C. W. Boyce, Assistant Farm Husbandry. 

43. J. E. Hill, Assistant Electrical Engineering. 

44. H. S. Woods, Assistant Electrical Engineering. 

45. R. E. Schiller, Assistant Electrical Engineering. 

46. L. Gugenheim, Assistant Electrical Engineering. 

What does one notice in these changes? A student who has been at college 
during the time will see from this list and from the biennial report of the 
Board, that the number of faculty members continually decrease, yet the 
number of students here has increased fifty per cent; that the old influential 
and experienced members of the faculty and other officers of high salaries 
have gone, and their places filled by young men who are poorly paid at the 
beginning, and who will naturally feel grateful to the president for their 
promotion and constant raises in salaries. And if an old student examines 
closer what else does he notice? He sees that almost without exception, that 
the ones leaving the college belong to the class of broad-minded, sympathetic 
men that appeal by their force of character to the love and admiration of a 
student body. He also sees that of the personal favor-seeking group that 
every one knows to be merely gratifying self, not one has gone, no matter 
how inefficient they might be; but on the contrary they have gone up by 
promotion to the places vacated by the previous named group. 

But you may say, "How do you know that every one did not leave on their 
own accord, or because the Board desired it, how can you lay it at the door 
of the president?" 

To the first I will say that when a well known friend leaves a place or 
position, his friends are desirous of knowing why he leaves, and he him- 
self generally feels that it is only justice to himself that he explain the reason 
of his departure. Now, personally I am acquainted with the circumstances 
attending the leaving of a large number of the persons previously named, and 
v.ith few exceptions they resulted from differences with the president, one 
^^ ay or another. 

Now, in I'egard to affixing the responsibility on the Board. In this case 
the Board has very little personal knowledge with regard to the personnel 
of the college force other than through the president. And in cases where 
the Board acted it was at the instance of the president, in whom they had 
implicit faith (certainly true, or else they would displace him and put in 
a man they did trust). 

On account of the large number of changes the first summer, and cir- 
cumstances attending some of them which was given publicity in the papers 
at the time, the students returned prejudiced against Dr. Harrington at the 
beginning of the session of '06-'07. And perhaps this prejudice is in a manner 
responsible for the serious way the boys took his epithets of "sneaks and 
cowards," hurled at the ones who were perpetuating the practice of initiation 
of new men, and at the rest for allowing it to be done. Now, within another 
week there was published in the Battalion the clipping from the well-known 
magazine, "The World's Work," commending Dr. Houston, President Har- 
rington's predecessor, as one of the foremost educators of the South, and 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



17 



praisins? the work he had done for this college while president; and as a 
result Editor Holloway was called up and severely criticised, by the presi- 
dent who said the article contained false statements and that no one ot 
ordinary intelligence would have published the article. The student body 
soon knew of this and the general opinion was that the president's criticisms 
were unwarranted and merely exhibited uncontrolled jealousy. \eiy soon 
the promoters of student enterprises reported that the president was not 
assisting as he had done the previous year. Later some organizations lelt 
that the president was discriminating between them and some opposing 

organization. , , , ., ^, ij c 

These things went on. new grievances being added whi'e the old ones 
smouldered. Arbit'aiy dealings became more pronounced, the more favored 
cadets, as would be expected, were glad to herald their exceptional privi- 

^^7n the meanwhile the president's social relations with the college com- 
munity were not such as would be calculated in any way to span the gult 
that now existed between the students and himself. 

The students began to avoid the president's office. They would take ad- 
vantage of permits that were referred to the president without carrying 
them to him, thus risking punishment rather than face the man they had 
grown to dislike. Others would refrain from taking in permits that required 
the president's approval until it was known that the president was absent 
from tne college, in which case the permits would then be referred to the 
highest ranking faculty member (Prof. Puryear). 





CHAS. PURYEAR 

Dean of the Faculty. 



R. H. STANDIFER 

Major of the Battalion. 



Thus the president and the students were traveling along widely diverging 
ways with no attempt toward reconciliation. The president and individual 
students no longer met except when absolutely necessary, and then it was 
usually specially favored students. This fact alone usually tended to make 
those particular students unpopular with the other students. 

So is there any wonder that the time the '0C-'07 session was drawing to a 
close a movement was started among the members of the Senior class with 
the purpose or removing the president in view. It was quietly and skillfully 
planned but the sudden dismissal of school seventeen days before com- 



18 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

mencement, together with the serious illness of the president himself, pre- 
vented the dissatisfaction being communicated to the Board of Directors 
in June, '07. 

More changes, resignations, and dismissals, among the faculty and em- 
ployes, and many of these kaleidoscopic changes were again laid at the 
door of the personal rule of the president ; in a majority of cases the changes 
involved men who were very close to the student body, and usually the stu- 
dents knew the real reasons for their having "to resign." Everyone felt 
that an attache of the college "could but once cross the path of Harry." 
No one knew when his time was coming; teachers could not do their best 
work. For a teacher to do his best work, he should consider his teaching 
at A. & M. as a life-work, and devise, plan, and lay out schedules for improve- 
ment in his particular line of work. But this was impracticable, because as 
one said, "The period of one's stay here is too uncertain to put the suggestions 
named into practice." 

By the beginning of the session of 1907-08 the dislike and distrust had 
permeated practically every one at college. As the years had passed the 
president had less and less friends in the student body; he could no longer 
find a student leader that stood by him. As the new class came in the an- 
tagonism spread to them, and from the president there came not one single 
act that might tend to bring them nearer together. The students began to 
dislike and distrust some of the ones that openly stood for Dr. Harrington, 
while the large majority of the faculty and instructors failed to openly 
announce either way. 

Next came the complaint among the athletic men that the President did 
not open the Mess Hall, September, 1907, when he had promised the captain 
of the foot-ball team he would. They also complained to the students that 
they at times failed to receive extra articles of diet that were being paid 
for for the foot-ball training table. On inquiry to the steward, B. S'bisa, 
they were informed that the reason they were receiving condensed cream 
was that Dr. Harrington had sent over and got what was provided for 
them. The student waiters began to notice and report that the servants 
of Dr. Harrington made frequent daily trips to the Mess Hall for different 
articles, which were never charged up to him. This started the well-known 
"grafter" charge which has had more to do than any one other thing in 
causing the outbreak in February. 

The part Dr. Harrington had in transferring a two-thirds part of an 
appropriation from the Animal Husbandry Department to the Engineering 
Departments, when it was obtained on the initiative of Dr. Marshall, then 
head of the Animal Husbandry Department, and prominent stockmen of the 
state, did not make the president any too popular with the agricultural stu- 
dents. And at the first of the 1908 session when C. M. Evans wrote a farewell 
comment in the Battalion to Prof. Marshall on his leaving, the editor-in-chief 
was called up and severely reprimanded because the article said that Prof. 
Marshall was instrumental in obtaining the Animal Husbandry appropriation. 
He said this was false. "Whether or not this criticism was just the reader is 
referred to the following extract from a letter that appeared in the Dallas 
News the first part of this year, written by a well-known and reputable 
citizen of West Texas. It reads as follows: 

THE DISPUTED ANIMAL HUSBANDRY APPROPRIATION. 

"The last of December, 1906, the writer wrote Prof. P. R. Marshall of the 
Agricultural and Mechanical College asking him to formulate some plan to 
bring before the Legislature by which there could be an appropriation for 
this department. The plan was formulated. The News was asked to publish 
some matter in regard to it, which was done. The writer went to Austin on 
the 9th of January, 1907. The next day he laid the matter before Senator 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 19 

T. P. Stone of McLennan county. All the Representatives of McLennan 
county were asked to support the bill, which they did. A copy of the letter 
written them was published in The News. The motive for asking this appro- 
priation was only to help the young men of Texas. I am not prepared to 
say what went with the appropriation of $15,000. It may have been well 
and wisely spent. If it has not it is up to the next Legislature to investigate 
the matter. I am not ashamed or afraid of the part I took in this matter. 
Unborn generations will bless the day that the Department of Animal 
Husbandry of the Agricultural and Mechanical College received its pro rata 
to share the appropriations. — W. J. Duffel, West, McLennan County, Texas." 
It might be added that the Animal Husbandry Department received 
$6,000.00 of the amount. 

THE RAILROAD TRIPS. 

Next came the troubles about the railroad trips, first to the foot-ball 
game at Dallas, October 12, between A. & M. and the Texas University, 
second, to the annual Thanksgiving game between the same teams at Austin; 
and thirdly, the trip home for the Christmas vacation. In explanation of 
these grievances I will say that two or three days before the time for the 
Dallas trip a special order was read out, that the corps could not go to 
Dallas in a body as had been expected, but only as individuals, and that 
they would have to get written permission from home to go. The time was 
so short that a majority of the students could not get a reply, although the 
telegraph wires were used extensively. The Senior and Junior class com- 
mittees on transportation were informed by the railroad officials that they 
would have to guarantee the sale of two hundred and fifty tickets to get a 
special train and reduced rates. The committees made a thorough canvass 
of the students, but the required number could not be found who had received 
the necessary permission in the limited time. A request from them to 
Dr. Harrington for a less strict ruling was met with defeat, even concerning 
students twenty-one years of age and older. What was to be done? It 
was now after supper and the money had to be deposited with the ticket 
agent before 10 o'clock. About two hundred had purchased tickets from the 
committee, and they calculated that an assessment of fifty cents on the mem- 
bers of the Senior and Junior classes together with what extra tickets that 
would be sold at the last minute, would raise the money; this was done 
and at the last moment the money was deposited and the train ordered. Now, 
President Harrington learned that the student committee had arranged for 
the train to return at 11 p. m., and he immediately telegraphed the authori- 
ties to send the train back at 8 o'clock. The superintendent, after getting 
the particulars from the agent, declined to change the schedule. The 
students had won; but imagine how they felt toward the president with 
whom they were by no means at peace any way? But the interference did 
not stop here, for when the committees applied as usual to the railroads for 
a Thanksgiving excursion, they were informed that the president through 
the dean had "stole a march" on them and had made arrangements with the 
H. & T. C. road, which being fifty miles farther than over the I. & G. N., 
would make it after 2 p. m., before they would reach Austin, or an hour and a 
half later than by the latter road, over which the students had in all former 
years chosen. The schedule had also been arranged so that the students 
would have to leave Austin at 8 p. m. or within an hour after the game was 
over; and more, the tickets were not good to return the next day, as they 
had been in previous years. The students were simply astounded at the 
way their long-used rights had been taken from them, as they believed, be- 
cause the president had failed in trying to interfere with the Dallas trip. 
The Senior committee was instructed to try to get the president to let the 
train stay in Austin long enough for the boys to attend a well-known opera 



20 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

that night, and with the assistance of the commandant did get the time 
extended to 9 p. m., but this did not give the time desired, but was better 
than nothing. 

It was later learned that the I. & G. N. was going to run a train from 
Bryan on the old schedule, to leave at 11 p. m., tickets to be good until the 
next day, and that they would back up to the college; many planned to go 
that way; but again President Harrington interfered and this time he was 
successful in preventing the train coming to the college. And neither would 
permission be given for the students lo go to Bryan and then by the way 
of the I. & G. N. Although the president has attempted to lay this on the 
dean — or, that is, the first arrangements — and he had perhaps fooled some, 
but never a cadet, for they know how he received the committees that ap- 
peared before him. The dean only did the will of his master. 

Now in regard to the Christmas holiday trip, I will explain that two of 
the classes would get through with examinations on the morning of the 
last day, while the other two would get through at about 4 p. m. A few 
days before the time to leave an order was issued (and the dean disclaims 
responsibility) to the effect that no student would be allowed to leave 
until after 4:30 p. m. This would prevent all students through with ex- 
aminations from going north on the 1:27 p. m. H. & T. C. train and all stu- 
dents from going south on the 4 p. m. H. & T. C., thus delaying them twelve 
hours overtime established by the old custom of allowing students to leave 
when through with examinations. For the first time the president was 
shown open contempt. The next morning posters and placards were to 
be seen over all parts of the campus setting forth the "merits and failings" 
of th6 president, as only an enraged student body could devise. While off 
the roof of Gathright Hall was a placarded dummy of the president with 
the inscription, "Take me over the I. & G. N.." (the 5 p. m. I. & G. N. train 
south, was the first train after the release). Now, to add insult to injury, 
the president weakened, and at 1:30 p. m. of the last day the order was 
recalled, too late for the northbound 1:27 H. & T. C. train. 

I am safe in saying that the president's interferring with the time-hon- 
ored custom of the students selecting and arranging excursions, the violating 
of precedents that to the students were unwritten laws, his untimely weak- 
enings and his apparent but unreal compromises, had more to do with the 
absolute loss of respect, confidence, and esteem by the student body than 
all other things together. 

On returning from the holidays the boys realized their unanimity in their 
dislike for the president, and when a large number of college employes 
lost their positions because their wives refused to serve as a wet nurse for 
Dr. Harrington's child, and serious quarrels and almost resignations in the 
faculty from the same cause resulted. And when the strict small-pox 
quarantine for a mere case of whooping cough at Prof. Hutson's was learned 
of, they were more indignant than ever. Ihe President's every act with 
whom he came in contact with showed conclusively the littleness and tyranny 
of the selfish man at the head of the institution. 

The students felt that the limit of peaceful endurance had been reached, 
and immediately the Seniors began planning to put the whole matter before 
the Board at commencement as had been intended the previous year, but 
when on the third or fourth of February the report came from Austin that 
the Board would meet at college on the sixth of the same month for the 
explicit purpose of investigating charges of "irregularities" with regard 
to President Harrington, instantly every one realized that now was as good, 
if not a better time, to act than commencement. The result was the drafting, 
signing and presenting of the petition on February sixth, asking for the re- 
moval of Dr. Harrington. 

Now, granted that the students had unanimously come to the conclusion 
that the best interests of the college lay in the removal of the president. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 21 

how was this to be accomplished? Certainly a petition to the Board was 
the only proper thing to do. and this was done. Striking for this end was 
not thought of. Had it been, I am safe in saying that the leaders of thought 
among the students would not have believed it possible to enforce a peace- 
able and lawful suspension of academic duties; and even had they thought it 
possible it would have been the last thing they would have decided to try, for 
this would have necessitated publicity and damaging notoriety, a public at- 
tack on the character of Dr. Harrington, and would have meant utter ruin 
to him if we were successful. This was the last thing we were in favor 
of doing, and this idea was borne in mind when the petition was drafted 
asking for the removal. An effort to avoid a question of character was 
made the main charges affirmed lack of ability, integrity, unselfish interest 
in the affiairs of the college, and a further charge that the high position of 
the president was being used to further personal matters. 

We did not wish to convey the impression that Dr. Harrington was a 
criminal, but we wished to assert that he was the wrong man for the 
place. We felt that a round peg would not fit a square hole (of the same 
diameter). . 

Who could have suggested a more law-abiding manner in letting the 
Board know our opinions, than what was done in presenting the petition, 
containing not one word of hate or disrespect? No one can. And I must 
contend that we deserved a consideration. At least the presidents of the 
classes signing should have been called up and questioned further the 
reasons for presenting such an unusual document. It is very unlikely 
that a group of successful lawyers as are on the Board failed to see a great 
deal more in the petition than they claim to have seen,— that is, a demand 
for the removalwithout reasons. 

CHAPTER III. 

THE STRIKE 

FRIDAY NIGHT, FEBRUARY 7. 
"The endurance test was over." 

On learning that the Board had entirely disregarded the petition and 
having destroyed it without even calling up a single person whose name was 
signed to it, there was a general dissatisfaction resulting from the very fact 
that it became known. It took no discussion. The student body, and espec- 
ially the Senior class, was amazed at the treatment accorded the petition. 
The faculty had never refused to consider even a petition signed by a few 
Freshmen. Of course, in a majority of cases the decision was not in our 
favor, but they had never absolutely ignored one and destroyed it without 
giving a direct answer. 

Since the petition was of great importance, everyone knew of it, and all 
were in suspense for the answer. It is no wonder that everyone knew the 
result simultaneously. 

It seemed that the very atmosphere was pervaded by melancholy and 
silence. Nothing was heard save murmurs until the band struck up the 
old tune of "Home, Sweet Home." The answer plainly told what was in the 
minds of the cadets. They had made a move, a very serious move, especially 
when unsuccessful. There seemed nothing left to do. but resign from the 
college in a body. A walk-out seemed inevitable. This information was 
communicated to Captain Andrew Moses, who immediately called up R. H. 
Standifer, major of the battalion, and T. J. Beesley, president of the Senior 
class. They were assured that it would not be necessary for the students 
to "walk-out" to prevent being dismissed. He also asked that the Senior 
class be called together after supper, as he desired to speak to them as 



22 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"man to man." At supper the matter was the only subject for discussion 
and it seemed that something was going to be done, and it looked like a 
"walk-out". A meeting of the Senior class was called, and Captain Moses 
appeared before us. Captain Moses is a gentleman, through and through, and 
thoroughly understands how to handle men, and especially students.' He 
explained that it was improbable that summary action would be taken against 
such a large percentage of the student body; how near we were to the cher- 
ished diploma, worked for so long, and how we would be sure in after life 
to regret it if we left the College at this time. He advised us to be exceed- 
ingly cautious in anything we might do, as the whole corps would certainly 
follow in any step we might take. He also said that he had seen Director 
Peteet before he left that evening, and had told him of the state of affairs 
and had gotten him to promise to go no further than Prairie View, and 
that he would return to college Saturday to represent the Board if anything 
happened. 

After pleading with the class to defer action until they had an opportunity 
to communicate with Mr. Peteet, Captian Moses left the meeting to go out 
and talk to the boys that were congregating in front of the different halls. 
He was very successful with them, inducing all to disperse and return to 
their rooms. 

After Captain Moses was through talking to the Senior class. Coach 
Larson addressed us, advising that we be very conservative; he recounted the 
fine condition of athletics, laying much stress on the prestige we now en- 
joyed, and earnestly asked that we do nothing that would injure athletics, 
and in any way mar the spring prospects in baseball and track. 

After these gentlemen withdrew, the class thoroughly discussed the 
situation from all points of view, and it was found that no one had pre- 
pared, or could suggest, a satisfactory plan of procedure that did not involve 
a dangerous "walk-out;" so it was decided that we defer action until we 
heard what Director Peteet had to say Saturday night. 

The meeting was then quietly adjourned, everyone deep in thought, trying 
to arrive at a solution of the problem that confronted us. 

The cadets were informed of the action, and after a few murmurs of 
discontent, they quieted down to await developments. As soon as the excite- 
ment subsided a conclave of the leading Seniors assembled in North End 
Foster Hall to consider the situation. 

By 9:30 p. m. they came to an agreement. A meeting of the class was 
called in the Agricultural building, where secure from interference, the plan 
was submitted. After long and thorough discussion, changes and amend- 
ments made, a decision was reached, which had the approval and support of 
all. It was then after 12 p. m.. 

The class was divided into squads, to inform the sleeping students of the 
action taken by the Seniors. 

The students of the different halls were assembled and their co-operation 
requested in the enforcement of a well-organized and orderly strike, as far 
as academic duties were concerned; and to carry out the military functions 
and Mess Hall regulartions to the strictest letter; they were further requested 
not to collect in groups to discuss the trouble; to protect all state property; 
to respect all officers of the college in person; to remain in barracks ac- 
cording to schedule; not to leave the campus on furlough except under 
very pressing circumstances; to prevent any intoxicating liquors being 
brought on the grounds; and that they not inform the public of the trouble. 
These and other minor requests were made with the explanation that this 
state of affairs if properly conducted as planned was to continue "until 
something was done." 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 23 

SATURDAY. 

The next morning a committee met Captain Moses, and to his utter sur- 
prise, informed him of the condition of affairs, and requested his support, 
and offered that of the Senior Class, for the purpose of maintaining absolute 
order. Among other things he was asked to be very strict on gi-anting any 
furloughs to Bryan. 

The performance of military duties kept the situation from being fully 
realized until the "first period call" at 8:05 a. m. The situation was one of 
intense interest and concern. Many v^^ere the sighs of relief when not a 
cadet went to recitations. A perfect machine was in operation for the 
purpose of inducing the Board to reassemble and ^consider the petition. 

During the first period Captain Moses called on the President to inform 
him of the existing conditions. A meeting of the Faculty was called at 9 
a. m. to consider the state of affairs. Of course, officially the Faculty were 
ignorant of the cause, and appointed a committee of Messrs. Fountain, Pur- 
year, Ball. Brown, Alvord and Moses, "to find out the cause of the students' 
refusal to attend classes, and to receive their demands." 

A meeting of the Senior Class was immediately called and a committee 
of Messrs. Evans, Dale, J. Neale, McElroy and Ellis were instructed to meet 
the Faculty committee and present the written and adopted answer of 
the class: 

"We, the Senior Class, present this report through this committee. We 
demand the resignation of Dr. Harrington, as president of the A. & M. 
College. The present state of affairs is a means to this end. This committee 
is authorized to make no further statements." 

After a long meeting, much cross-questioning and "bravado" by "Deacon" 
Fountain, the Faculty committee realized that the boys meant business; 
they then carried the reply to the Faculty. The petition was discussed, and 
a motion made and carried, that the Senior Class be informed that the 
demand involved a question entirely outside the jurisdiction of the Faculty. 
They further adopted: 

"Whereas, The President has stated that he had laid this matter be- 
fore the Board of Directors, therefore, 

"Be It Resolved, That the Faculty postpone action in the matter of a 
breach of discipline through Sunday and Monday." 

By the time the committee reported to the class it was 12:30 p. m., and 
as it was Saturday, the day's duties were over. After dinner Director Peteet 
came in on the H. & T. C. train. He said he had learned of the trouble and 
had returned to see what was the matter. He asked permission to address 
the Senior Class after supper. The request was granted. 

The opening part of his speech by way of an introduction informed us that 
he was a multi-union man, and therefore should be on our side. He expressed 
much regret that his advice had not been asked, but added that our con- 
duct would not have been very different had he been conducting the strike 
himself. He recounted some of the strikes he had gone through and ex- 
hibited a gold medal that had been presented to him for leading a successful 
strike. Coming down to business, he said he knew nothing of the trouble, 
but was very anxious to learn, so he could help us out. He extended the 
opportunity for anyone to take the floor, with the injunction that they not 
all rise at once. No one explained the trouble, and with a grin he told us 
that we knew more strike tactics than he had at first given us credit for 
knowing. He then actually told of some of the things that cause strikes to 
lose a good cause. He next explained why the Board was unable to take 
notice of the petition and why they did not file an answer with us. He said 
we were badly mistaken when we thought the Board had cast it aside without 
notice, for they had really sweated over it for hours. And had finally come 
to the conclusion that by failing to reply either way the matter could be 



24 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

put off until commencement, which was i-eally the only appropriate time for 
considering such, he added. 

In answer to a question, Mr. Peteet said that Dr. Harrington, like all 
other officers of the College, was elected during "good behavior," and at 
any time could be removed at the pleasure of the Board. And he further 
added that if we wished the Board to remove Dr. Harrington we must prefer 
and prove specific charges against him. 

Mr. Peteet assured us in behalf of the Board, a fair and impartial hearing. 

After promising to accompany any member of the class as individuals 
or as a committee to all persons that we believed had evidence in our favor, 
he quoted from Burton, 

"I do not like you Dr. Fell; 
The reason why I cannot tell. 
But this I know, and know full well, 
I do not like you. Dr. Fell." 

Adding that it was imperative that we tell why we did not like Dr. 
Harrington, if we expected the Board to decide in our favor. 

After Mr. Peteet left it was learned that Major McGinnis of Bryan, an- 
other member of the Board, was in the Director's Quarters at the Mess Hall, 
and it was unanimously voted that he be offered the opportunity of ad- 
dressing the class. 

After giving a brief summary of the many years of his connection with 
the College, and of the growth and standing of same, he abruptly came to 
the point, and told us we were deliberately destroying the good name that 
had been made for the College during the last few years. We were soon given 
to understand that real or fancied wrongs done us by the President, did not 
justify us in our actions. 

"We were rebels;" this indirect assertion and the great evil consequences 
resulting from such a course, were illustrated by an imaginary example 
of a country where a portion of all the subjects of a nation became dis- 
satisfied and rebelled. This illustration caused three dates to come before 
the minds of the Senior Class— 177G—183G— and 18G1. As only the first two 
were analogies to the present situation, that is where all the subjects rose 
up against the tyranny of the ruler, we remembered that only ruin and dis- 
aster fell on the oppressors, and the moral of the illustration was totally 
different to that which Major McGinnis intended. Anyway we soon saw 
that we were "up against it," when it came to being recognized by the 
Board. We also realized that Director Peteet had placed himself in a 
delicate position with regard to the Board. And it was not a surprise to 
know that he left at the first opportunity without giving us the assistance 
promised. 

Director McGinnis, in closing made a very earnest appeal to us to re- 
consider the matter and decide to sustain the present high standing of the 
College. Both he and Mr. Peteet were vigorously applauded. When Director 
McGinnis bid good-night, the matter was placed before the class; the 
opinion that permeated was, that the present high standing of the College 
could not be much longer maintained under the present management. So the 
purpose of the strike was not abandoned, and a more definite plan of pro- 
cedure was adopted, and by way of giving justice to Mr. Peteet, this plan 
embodied some of the points brought out by him, and we were very sorry 
that he was unable to remain to give us the assistance he promised, and to 
be at the investigation. 

A committee composed of Messrs. McElroy, Neale, Dale, J. Lee and Ellis, 
was elected to assemble the prosecution matter. With this the first day of the 
strike, which was destined to draw so much attention, and even find its 
way into politics, quietly ended. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 25 

SUNDAY 

Sunday followed just as usual. After the rooms were put in order 
every one was looking prime for the regular Sunday morning inspection by 
the Commandant, there being no regular Chaplain, and as the President had 
not made arrangements for a minister there were no chapel exercises and the 
usual yell of pleasure given as when unexpectedly the cadets are excused 
from some duty which they did not expect to miss. This clearly demon- 
strated that the boys intended to go to chapel as usual, had there been any. 
The rest of the day passed as usual. Everyone who was behind on notes 
took advantage to catch up. 

The investigation committee began work but did not have the promised 
assistance of a certain member of the Board, nor had inability, of the officers 
and employees of the College to make complaints and furnish evidence other 
than in writing direct to the Board, been removed as we were assured it 
would be by Mr. Peteet. In spite of the fact that the handicap resulting 
from the Faculty and instructors being unable to answer questions, some 
evidence was collected or the promise of it to be written out to meet the 
specifications of Board, were obtained. There had been no collecting in 
groups or other evidence of anything but normal conditions among the 
students; one could hardly believe a strike was on. 

MONDAY. 

On Monday, the 10th of February, the weather was dismal and cloudy, 
and all tended to make it a day such as no student of the College had ever 
witnessed before and never desires to again. The College did not look the 
same, the boys did not talk the same. It was by now fully recognized 
that the Board was not going to give the assistance we expected, and now it 
was up to us to do what we could. The Senior committee was informed 
by the main witness, Mr. B. S'bisa, the steward, who was to substantiate 
serious charges that had caused the meeting of the Gth, that he had been 
instructed by the President, (or the Board) to hold no further communication 
with the students, concerning Dr. Harrington. This ruined the greater part 
of the evidence gathered on Sunday, as the committee had been working on 
these charges largely. You may ask why we spent so much time trying to 
prove the charges that did not originate among the students and delay 
bringing up the student charges until it was too late. The answer is this: 
the committee had realized that sentiment or the cause of student sentiment 
amounted to nothing with the Board. The Board may criticise this state- 
ment but they are to be faced with facts; they failed to reply to our petition 
and after this and their strong endorsement of Harrington to have given 
way to the students' charges, we knew was out of the question, so what 
was to be done? The committee had but to remember what caused the first 
meeting of the Board, and as these charges were not proven the Board 
had failed to even censure the President. Now, if these charges could be 
proven it was believed that the Board would not feel that they were giving 
way to student demands, but to the proof by the students of the charges 
that caused Governor Campbell to call the first meeting. 

The Faculty met early Monday morning and again deferred acting on 
the matter and appointed a committee to meet the Senior and .Junior Classes 
to try to induce them to return to classes. The time was so limited that these 
classes could not be called before noon, so the Senior committee asked some 
of the Junior Class to go with them to hear the F"'aculty committee, which 
consisted of Messrs. Puryear, Moses, Nagle and Brown. Nothing was accom- 
plished however, and the afternoon passed away quietly. After supper 
the Senior Class met in the Agricultural Building, and the Local A. & M. 
Club met in the Chemical Laboratory room. While the Senior Class were 
reviewing the situation the A. & M. Club sent over a committee of one to 



26 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

ask the Seniors to convene with them. The invitation being accepted, Mr. 
R. J. Potts was asl^ed to explain their object in having the Seniors meet 
with them. Which was to try to effect a settlement of the strike or at 
least to have the classes report for duty while the investigation was being 
conducted. Mr. Potts stated that a committee from the Local A. & M. 
Club had voluntarily gone before the Board to see if they could assist in 
making arrangements for a speedy settlement of the trouble. 

On returning from the A. & M. Club meeting to our regular meeting 
place, we discussed the proposition. Although every one felt deeply grateful 
for the interest the club had taken in trying to effect a settlement, it was a 
unanimous opinion that their plan could not be accepted. 

After the discussion was over a report of the investigation committee was 
called for. Chairman Dale reported. He began by saying that the committee 
had been unable to prove Harrington guilty of murder or of misappropriating 
as much as $20,000 dollars at a time, but that it would be a "cinch" to 
prove a large number of minor and sundry charges such as: arbitrary action, 
disrespect, petty graft, over-stepping authority, lack of executive ability, that 
he was a creature of jealousy and hate, one who would stoop to use his high 
position in settling private grievances without regard for the College, two- 
facedness, general unpopularity, fearless of anything but a broom, and a 
rolling-pin, that he was handcuffed with apron-strings, and such, which 
would certainly convince any impartial judge that it was not for the best 
interest of the institution to I'etain him as President. 

Following this a report of the evidence obtained was made except that 
of "Grandpa" Hutson, who said he desired to make his own charges. 
In ending his report Chairman Dale remarked that he hardly thought the 
Professors would would ever "flunk" anybody else on account of poor mem- 
ory, as they reminded him of the boy who went before the grand jury and 
said he had forgotten everything he ever knew. By their own statements 
they were as scared of Harrington as if he were a bear, or else as if he 
wielded the "big stick" of Teddy the noted "bear slayer." They seemed to 
be so afraid if they combined what we knew with what they knew they 
would be accused of working up the trouble. This as I have stated before, 
put us in a bad shape to prove anything; there were things we knew to 
be true but we had to depend on the Professors and others for proof, who 
claimed they would be accused of staring the trouble. 

But the truth of the matter was that a number of those who never testi- 
fied against Harrington did not have backbone enough to stand up for the 
truth, and thus gave the friends of the administration the pleasure of saying 
there was but three among the Faculty and instructors that did not indorse 
Harrington, which is untrue. The truth is the number that do indorse 
him can be even multiplied by ten and then not equal those who do not. 
Here I take the liberty of expressing the sentiment of the student body as a 
whole, that we have more respect and admiration for Fountain and Lomax 
who were outspoken in the approval of Dr. Harrington than we do for those 
who opposed him, but kept silent and thus endorsed the administration. 

After the report of the committee a discussion was held concerning when 
the committee should report to the Board to arrange for the investigation, 
some were in favor of the committee calling on the Board at once, but as 
it was now 11 p. m., this was abandoned and everything placed on a "business 
hours" basis. The meeting adjourned after instructing the committee to 
report to the Board the next morning and to call a class meeting to con- 
sider the Board's reply. 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11. 

The Senior Class committee reported to the Board about 10 a. m., and pre- 
sented the following written communication: 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 27 

"The Senior Class asks through this committee that they be granted a fair 
hearing before the Board of Directors, in regard to the President. 
To have the hearing we name the following conditions. 

1. That we be allowed a committee of students to sit with the Board. 

2. That we be represented by an attorney before the Board. 

3. That we be allowed to submit evidence before the Board, both verbal 
and written. 

4. That we be allowed to bring the Board any witness that we may 
desire. 

5. That our attorney be allowed to question all witnesses. 

6. That every man who appears before the Board be fully protected. 

7. That every member of the Board of Directors be present at the in- 
vestigation." 

The Board replied in writing as follows: 

"Replying to the foregoing communication the Board of Directors desire to 
say that we have always been and are now willing to receive and carefully 
consider any specific grievance that may be properly presented and signed 
by anybody with respect to the management of the College. Pending the re- 
ceipt of a complaint the Board will make no other assurance than that the 
complaint will be thoroughly and fairly considered and full protection ex- 
tended to complainants and witnesses. 

"Pending the receipt and hearing of any complaint that any member of 
your class may desire to make, the Board requires that such complainant or 
complainants resume their proper relation as students. 

(Signed) K. K. LEGGETT, 

President Board of Directors. 

A meeting of the class was called to consider the reply. After discussion 
it was decided that this was not a satisfactory answer as it did not con- 
form to the named conditions as contrary to 

(1) It did not allow a committee to sit with the Board. 

(2) It did not allow us to be represented by an attorney. 

(3) It did not allow us to submit evidence both written and verbal. 

(4) It did not allow us to bring any witness we desired. 

(5) It did not allow the questioning of witnesses by student represen- 
tatives. 

(7) It did not promise a full Board or that any attempt would be made to 
have a full Board. 

Their answer was given as if they had not even read the conditions 
much less paid any attention to them. 

The action of the class was that the answer was not satisfactory, and 
that the committee again meet the Board and make arrangements for the 
investigation. The committee was given power to make either new re- 
quests or allow concessions as they saw necessary toward obtaining a fair 
and speedy hearing. The committee met the Board and made arrangements 
for the investigation on the condition that the Senior Class return to class 
next day and try to have the other classes do likewise. The Board agreed 
to the terms that we had that morning presented except that on account of 
the idle conditions of the College and the calls of their private business 
they could not. lose the time that would be necessary for us to obtain and 
qualify an attorney to present our case, and that it was impossible to have 
every member of the Board present at the investigation. This arrange- 
ment was agreed to by both parties at 7 p. m. After supper the Junior 
Class met and voted to abide by the agreement of the Senior committee. So 
by taps every thing appeared serene, but no, a meeting of the .Tuniors was 
again called to reconsider their action. The meeting lasted until 2 a. m. 
They unanimously reversed their former action and voted never to attend au- 
other class at the A. & M. as long as Dr. Harrington was president. 



28 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Shortly after the writer was told of this, he was called over the telephone 
from Bryan and told of a statement that appeared in that evening's "Chroni- 
cle," which had come in on the midnight train. It was an interview of a 
Board member who had on leaving the College, told a newspaper reporter 
that the trouble was over; that the boys had agreed to return to classes and 
that the Board would at an early date exonerate the President. This new 
phase attached to the supposed meaning of the boys returning to classes 
was in the hands of the Juniors at their last meeting and caused their action 
which has been so severely criticised. When the rumor which had been 
communicated to the Juniors was confirmed by the papers it is not to be 
wondered at that the two lower classes followed the Junior Class in pref- 
erence to the action of the Senior committee. 

WEDNESDAY. 

There was strong sentiment by a number of Seniors against the action 
of the Senior committee which resulted in the committee having a meeting 
oi the two upper classes immediately after breakfast to see if the classes 
would ratify their action. After a short discussion the Junior Class withdrew 
declaring their action would be governed by their vote of the night before. 
The Seniors voted unanimously to abide by the authorized committee. New 
men were appointed to serve on the student committee to replace the two 
Juniors who were disqualified by the refusal of their class to return to work, 
after proper arrangements were made concerning who were to act as witness 
summoners for the day according to the periods that they were free. The 
meeting adjourned and the classes reported to the section rooms for the first 
time since the previous day. 

The Investigation began at the Mess Hall at 8:30 and continued until 
5:30. The evidence, etc., submitted will be explained in the statement of 
the Board and the comments following same. 

Early in the morning the suspension act of the Faculty was posted in 
all of the halls. At noon Capt. Moses read the order in the Mess Hall and 
made an earnest appeal to the boys to comply with it, but it is certain that 
he did not expect any favorable notice to be taken of it, as he said he 
would have drill call sounded at 3:30 and all who did not expect to comply, 
to turn in their rifles and accouterments. 

The cadets did not return to class in the afternoon but instead proceeded 
to polish up their guns, belts and buckles, in order that they might not 
turn in an article that exceedingly displeased the commandant — that is 
a rusty rifle or a tarnished belt plate. 

When the bugle sounded at 3:30, the roll calls showed "all present" 
and fully equipped. Company by company they were marched to the armory 
in perfect order where with deep felt reluctance, but stern determination, 
the equipments were turned over to the commissary officer. 

After the investigation was over about 5:30 p. m., the outcome was all 
that was discussed and for the first time during the trouble could there be 
seen any number of students together discussing the situation; and there 
would not have been any then had not Judge Rowell appeared on the scene 
and commenced individual work. Crowds of the boys would gather about 
him to hear what he had to say and after talking to them he would pass on, 
to gather crowds elsewhere but each crowd organized did not dissemble as 
readily as it assembled. Immediately after his lecture there would follow a 
general discussion of the affair and it was the general opinion expressed 
that his appearance virtually meant that the decision would go against the 
hoys. On leaving each bunch of eager listeners Judge Rowell asked that 
everybody meet in the chapel after supper to hear him speak more fully 
on the subject. Captain Moses was also doing personal work in obtaining 
hearers for Judge Rowell; every one he talked to. he got to promise to not 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 29 

only attend but to use his influence in getting others to attend. At supper 
Capt. Moses gave another invitation to the corps to turn out immediately 
after supper to hear the Vice President of the Board. 

By the fact that the chapel was full ten minutes later it was evident 
that the appeal had been heard and honored. Practically the whole corps 
of over five hundred were assembled by 7:15 p. m., and Judge Rowell was 
introduced by the commandant. In his appeal to the Ijoys he recounted 
his old college days spent here, his deep love for the College and its welfare. 
He was fully aware of the fact that in case the decision of the directors 
should be against the boys that there would most certainly be a large 
majority who would leave the College and fiinally assured the students of a 
complete and fair hearing on the part of the Board to any further com- 
plaints that might be presented either now or at any time in the future. He 
also promised his individual support in procuring the evidence and wit- 
nesses that anyone would lead the way to. His appeal to the lower classes 
to follow the Seniors in returning to classes as the correct things to do, 
to insure a more thorough investigation and impartial consideration at the 
hands of the board, was generally taken to mean that his entire object was 
to get the boys back to classes before the decision was rendered, which ev- 
eryone saw by now would be favorable to Dr. Harrington. And as a result 
the cadets had no sooner returned to their rooms than they began to pack 
their trunks for departure. 

At 9:00 p. m. a meeting of the Senior Class was called and a general dis- 
cussion of the trial was indulged in. After some coaxing different members 
of the investigation committee were induced to tell us about the trial. Their 
talks confirmed our opinions as formed from Judge Rowell's speech. They 
developed the fact that the board had acted much more like a staff of de- 
fending attorneys than impartial judges, in which capacity they posed, or 
as an investigation committee as they afterward styled their attitude in their 
statement to the public. The Board had at every opportunity answered for 
Dr. Harrington, or else the charges had been unanswered, as Dr. Harrington 
had continually denied the right of the student body to try their President. 
This taking up for the President was carried so far as to give reasonable 
grounds for the remark that it would not be very amiss now to try the 
Board on their own admissions. 

A discussion was now in order as to whether the class would return to 
duties on the following day. Some were of the opinion that we should do 
so and thereby make good the assurance given the Board by the committee 
to the elTect that we would return to class pending the investigation. The 
committee themselves were not certain whether the investigation was over 
or not, and were disposed to leave the boys free to do as they desired. 

The vote was not in favor of returning to classes the following day. 
However, after adjournment, certain members of the committee decided that 
in view of the fact that Judge Rowell had asked the boys to turn in any 
further evidence, they believed that the promise to go to class applied to 
the next day, and accordingly several of the Seniors, at their request, went 
to the different halls to tell the others as there was other evidence to turn 
in the committee thought it was right for the Seniors to return to classes. 
Since the actions of an authorized committee is law to all true members of 
any organization, it was unanimously promised by the Seniors to return to 
classes on the following day. 

THURSDAY. 

Thursday morning was spent in great suspense, although the boys were 
certain what the decision would be, yet all remembered that the verdict of 
a jury is proverbially one of the most uncertain things to calculate on, and 
so were disposed to hear the report of the Board who for a time refused to 
report, unless the students would all return to classes and threatening to 



30 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

leave without giving their decisions. But understanding that this meant 
exactly the same as an adverse report, Capt. Moses was authorized to as- 
semble the corps in the chapel. The bugle sounded the familiar "Fall in" 
at 12 a. m., and immediately the students assembled in the chapel. A 
strange atmosphere seemed to pervade the building. No one dared to speak. 
Whfn all were in, Capt. Moses, or the "Bull," as he is affectionately called, 
entered and marched to the front with his usual light military tread per- 
haps for the first time, and we hope the last time, (barring religious exer- 
cises) without a cheer or any sign of applause, only a general straightening 
up to the attitude of intense attention, as he advanced to the stage with the 
folded paper in his hand. During the next few seconds his hesitation gave 
an opportunity for a study of his countenance, there could be seen a look of 
pain intermingled with a sense of determination and duty and it was evi- 
dent he most certainly felt the gravity of the situation. Before reading the 
report he asked that there be no demonstration and that none leave the 
room until the meeting was adjourned. He then unfolded the paper and 
read the following: 

"College Station, Texas, February 12, 1908. 
"To the Committee Representing the Senior Class of the A. and M. College. 

"Gentlemen: We have carefully considered the charges submitted by 
you against Dr. H. H. Harrington, President of the College, together with all 
evidence submitted in support thereof. 

"You are respectfully advised that in our opinion the evidence offered 
wholly fails to show that the conduct of President Harrington is subject to 
any proper criticism, or that he otherwise gave a just cause of complaint, to 
any student or member of the Faculty. 

"The evidence submitted does not show arbitrary action, but, on the con- 
trary, it shows a commendable solicitude for the interest and welfare of the 
student body, and the highest regard for the welfare of the College. 

"The action of the President in relation to matters of discipline com- 
plained of by the witnesses on the stand in our opinion was wise, and meets 
with our unqualified approval. 

"We are strongly of the opinion that you young gentlemen have no just 
grounds to complain of the action of the President, and we earnestly urge 
you to reconsider your action and stand by the College and its constituted 
authorities. 

"The President of the College has been authorized to adjust and pay any 
balance that may be due any student for maintenance for the session of 
1906-07." 

"This opinion is concurred in by every member of the Board of Directors 
present. (Signed) K. K. Leggett, R. T. Milner, W. P. Sebastian, A. Haidusek, 
L. L. Mclnnis and T. D. Rowell. 

During the reading of the paper, Capt. Moses paused several times be- 
tween paragraphs, but not the slightest effort of interruption resulted from 
the opportunities unintentionally given. Perfect order was observed. On 
finishing, Capt. Moses folded the paper and addressed the students: "There 
is just a word I would like to say," he began, "the janitor has instructions 
to haul any trunks that wish to go, and I hope that every man of this corps 
who does go, will preserve that perfect gentlemanly manner that has been 
so characteristic of your conduct. I want to thank you for it. I thank you 
for your uniform good order and conduct as men of this corps." The boys 
could not contain themselves any longer and no sooner had the commandant 
signified he was through than every man in the chapel rose as one and in a 
sharp, clear voice gave their familiar nine "Rahs." 

Rah, Rah, Rah; 

Rah, Rah, Rah; 

Rah, Rah, Rah; 

Commandant! Commandant I Commandant! 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 31 

The meeting then quietly adjourned without further demonstration. The 
worst had come and all were prepared for it. An hour later the treasurer's 
office was crowded with boys waiting for their traveling expenses while the 
ones who had not already packed their trunks, proceeded to do so. 

The janitor was soon busy with a number of wagons and thus began to 
multiply the troubles of an extra baggage man, while the regular man was 
busy selling tickets. 

And the wires carried the news to all parts of the State that President 
Harrington was exonerated for the second time and the college was being 
deserted by the student body. 

By 4 p. m. the treasurer had issued traveling expenses to over four hun- 
dred students, not counting those who called the day before. 

FOLLOWING THE DECISION OF THE BOARD. 

After seeing over one hundred of their fellow student leave on the north- 
bound train, at 1:27 p. m., who were ready when the decision was made 
public, and after looking with much sorrow on the sad scene, the long 
row of trunks as high as one's head, the seniors met in Prof. Puryear's sec- 
tion room as had been previously agreed should the decision go against us. 

The general opinion was that the school was broken up for the year, and 
no one thought of staying the rest of the session. Business connected with 
the "Long Horn" was dispensed with, twenty-five dollars each being pledged 
to cover the amount the Board appropriates for the purchase of "Long 
Horns" for distribution among the libraries and affiliated schools of the 
State. After this other business was transacted as if the whole class was 
to leave on the next train. When all business was attended to, a senior 
made the motion that we resign as a class, embodying in the resignation 
our reasons for so doing and making the resignation public. The motion 
was promptly seconded and just as the vote was to be taken T. J. Beesley 
entered with the committee from the Houston A. and M. Club and Mr. Law, 
President of the Alumni Association. They wished to save the deplorable 
situation, and were barely in the nick of time. 

For two hours the Houston alumni pleaded with the seniors to stand by 
the school, saying that if we would but at least give them a chance to save 
the school they believed they could bring eno^igh pressure to bear on the 
lower classes to induce them to stop leaving and to bring the ones back 
that had gone. 

They met with a great deal of opposition, but when such men as E. W. 
Hutchinson, James Cravens, John Q. Tabor, Tom Tarver, R. C. Watkins, 
Henry Rollins, and Marion Law talked, pleaded and begged with tears in 
their eyes for the seniors to at least give them a chance to talk with the 
other classes, they could not refuse them this, but would make no further 
promises. 

Next the committee met the juniors, but here nothing was available, the 
juniors remained firm in their resolution to leave, to a man. No amount of 
persuasion could induce a single one to promise to stay. A respectful hear- 
ing and nine rahs at the end was all that the alumni were rewarded with, 
although they pleaded until supper time. 

After supper the remnants of the Freshman and Sophomore classes that 
had not left on the noon and two evening trains were assembled and talked 
to in the same manner. The alumni were now assisted by Prof. Kyle and 
Dr. Gilbert. With these two classes they were more successful and a few 
were persuaded to at least not leave the campus, but await developments. 

The night trains carried off all but about one hundred and fifty students, 
and on the next morning, February 14, things looked very gloomy, and the 
ones who were awaiting developments began preparing to leave on that 
day's trains. After what had happened they did not feel that they could do 
good work with so many of their comrades gone. 




If, • »^ ^ j^^: — ; ^:>^' V <-• 



V — ^ yicc-fi/tjis/oefiT . 




The Board of Directors of the A. & M. College and SecrUai y S. E. Audren-s. 
{Directors Peteet and Milner not in group. ) 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 33 

At 10 o'clock the Houston A. and M. Club committee appeared before the 
senior class for the purpose of getting them to extend the action of the 
previous evening by promising to return to classes on the next Monday. 

Practically every senior expressed himself, twenty-two promised to re- 
turn to classes, twenty were undecided, and preferred to have at least ten 
days to see how things would turn, and some five or six felt that they would 
be compelled to leave the school. However, no one wanted to in any way 
make their decision binding on any one else, therefore the matter was left 
to individual action. Since some were going to remain anyway, the next 
thing in order was to get as many of the boys back as possible, and to this 
end a committee was appointed to communicate with the ones who had 
gone and try to induce them to return. 

The work of the committee was as follows: 

"College Station, Texas, February 14. — To the Students of the A. and M. 
College of Texas: The senior class, after conferring with representatives 
of the Alumni Association of the College, who we believe are our friends 
and who we have confidence in, have decided to resume our studies and 
duties. 

"We earnestly recommend to all students now on the campus or who 
have departed for their homes to report for duty Monday, February 17, or 
as soon thereafter as possible. We earnestly believe from representations 
made to us that the question at issue will be taken up at the proper time 
and justice done. 

"T. J. BBESLEY, 
"R. H. STANDIFER, 
"LEM ADAMS, 

Committee. 

As yet no definite promises had been made the students other' than con- 
tained in the above. But we were distinctly assured that we must put our- 
selves in proper relations with the college authorities before we could ex- 
pect them to treat with us on the real merits of the case, whatever they 
might be. 

Toward noon a mass-meeting in the chapel was held. At this meeting 
different members of the alumni spoke again, also a number of students 
expressed themselves and finally Prof. Kyle spoke. There were sixty-eight 
at this meeting, but very little was accomplished. As many present left on 
the next two trains. 

On the next morning, Saturday, February 15, the college presented the 
saddest spectacle of perhaps the whole affair. The alumni had gone. And 
the desolation of the campus took the spirit from the boys that had been 
given them by the older students of the college. Discontent was every- 
where. Many of the boys who expected to stay, obtained furloughs to visit 
other places where for a time the painful memories could be forgotten in 
the pleasures of the moment. 

As if by common consent of the instructors there had been no attempt 
to have classes since Thursday morning. 

About noon two of the instructors who were very close to the boys and 
interested in the rehabiliation of the college managed to get a meeting of 
the sophomores and freshmen (it will be remembered all jimiors had gone) 
for the purpose of sending a statement to their classmates. The results 
were as follows: 

"College Station, Texas, February 15. — We, the remaining members of 
the two lower classes of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, deem it 
advisable to make through the daily press the following statement to our 
classmates who have gone home. There are on the ground about 100 mem- 
bers of the three lower classes, and practically all of the seniors are on 
the campus or on furlough, so that the college will reopen Monday with ap- 
proximately 150 students in attendance, without counting those who may 



34 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

return. Hence for our own good and for the good of the college itself we 
suggest and urge upon all of the members of the two lower classes to return 
at once to the college and resume their work, so that no further injury may 
be done so worthy an institution." 

Signed by E. E. McAnally, E. Arneson, L. P. LeRoy, P. J. Tibbetts, 
W. J. Carlin, Sophomore committee; and M. Taylor, J. V. Koons, H. B. 
Palmer, C. Brown and A. B. Simms, Freshman committee. 

Saturday night F. Marion Law, President of the Alumni Association, was 
present at a mass-meeting at which there were sixty-four students. T. J. 
Beesley was elected chairman of the meeting. After a few talks on the 
situation Mr. Law put before the meeting the substance of a most important 
proposition on which he invited discussions and suggestions. Finally his 
proposition, which was the first tangible one yet presented to the students 
as a solution, was unanimously adopted, and the meeting further voted that 
Mr. Law send a letter to every student that had left, covering the points 
agreed upon in the meeting. The following is the address, which is respon- 
sible for the return of a large part of the students. 

College Station, Texas, February 16. — The Alumni Association of the 
Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas begs leave to address a letter 
to each and every student who has left the college recently on account of 
differences with the president. 

The president of the Alumni Association is on the grounds and has 
made a careful study of the situation, and herewith submits for your con- 
sideration the following proposition: 

Believing that the exigencies of the situation demand it, the Alumni As- 
sociation, through President Law, offers to take entire charge of the situ- 
ation in so far as the students are concerned. The alumni propose to stu- 
dents to take the entire responsibility of the situation upon their own 
shoulders. In return the Alumni Association asks that the students prove 
their confidence in the fairness and discretion of the alumni by agreeing to 
abide by the counsel which the alumni give. 

Without any regard whatsoever to the merits of the controversy between 
yourselves and President Harrington, the alumni advise that you yield your 
judgment in this case to that of your elder brothers and return to college. 
We are sure that your own best interests and the welfare of the institution 
demand this. 

The alumni come to you and beg you to hear and accept this proposition. 

You may have felt that up to this time you could not in good faith return, 
and that to return would be a violation of honor. We appeal to your quiet, 
honest, fair judgment if the proposition which the alumni hereby make you 
does not put an entirely new light on the situation. 

Remember, we take all the responsibility for pledges as well as for every 
other feature of the situation. 

We understand your attitude thoroughly and we sincerely advise you 
that to accept our proposition, instead of being a violation of faith on your 
part, will be the right and honorable thing for you to do. 

We ask that you give the matter your earnest thought. We believe that 
mature reflection will cause you to see the fairness, reasonableness and 
honorableness of our appeal. 

You can afford to trust us. 

A copy of this letter is being sent to every student who has left college. 
Young men, listen to us and your own conscience and the whole people of 
Texas will applaud you for having won a splendid moral victory. 

The whole proposition was made by President Law to the students re- 
maining at college last night. There are about 100 cadets remaining and 
many were arranging to leave, but after hearing the proposition from the 
alumni, the men decided unanimously that it was their duty to do as the 
alumni request and turn the situation over to them, and each man pledged 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 35 

himself to remain at college. We believe it will be best for all of the men 
to return so as to reach college by Friday, February 21. Remember this 
proposition is strictly between the alumni and the students. No one else 
has any connection with it. 

All students who return will be re-entered upon application and verbal 
promise to observe the college rules and regulations. 

Please write or wire President Law at Bryan that we may expect your 
co-operation and support. Earnestly and fraternally yours, 

F. M. LAW, 
President Alumni Association, A. and M. College of Texas. 

The Houston committee on their return home gave out the following 
announcement: 

To Patrons of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas: 

We, the undersigned committee from the Harris County A. and M. Club, 
having spent Thursday and Friday at the college to assist in saving the 
situation there, are gratified to report success in holding a sufficient num- 
ber of students to maintain the college organization and discipline. 

We believe it to the best interest of your sons, yourselves, the College 
and the State of Texas that the students resume work at the college 
immediately, and earnestly ask your co-operation to that end. 

E. W. HUTCHINSON, 
JAMES CRAVENS, 
J. Q. TABOR. 
T. C. TARVBR, JR. 
H. M. ROLLINS. 
R. C. WATKINS, 

President Law also asked the co-operation of every alumnus and ex- 
student in using their influence in getting the students to return. 

On Sunday the statement of the Board of Directors was given to the 
public, which I here reproduce together with comments by Judge Haidusek 
and myself. 

STATEMENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE AGRICULTURAL 
AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS. 

College Station, Texas, February 14, 1908. 
To the People of Texas: 

The Board of Directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of 
Texas have refrained from giving out any statement in regard to the 
conditions existing at the A. and M. College until they had an opportunity 
to make a full and fair investigation. They now present this statement 
for the information and benefit of the public. 

About ten days ago certain rumors of abuses and irregularities existing 
at the College were brought to the attention of certain members of the 
Board. These rumors were communicated to the President of the Board, 
who promptly called a meeting of the Board by wire. The Board convened 
at the College on Thursday the 6th inst. No formal charges were presented 
against anyone, but a petition signed by most of the students in the upper 
classes was presented, asking for the removal of the President; no reason 
for the request was assigned in the petition. The rumors which had been 
circulated by certain individuals were carefully, impartially, and fully 
investigated. Finding the rumors had current gossip to be entirely without 
foundation the Board passed the following resolution: 

"Be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the A. and M. College 
that we express in heartiest terms our unqualified faith in the integrity, 
ability, and absolute fairness of President H. H. Harrington in the ad- 



36 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

ministration of the affairs of the College; and we further declare that In 
his efforts toward keeping the College at its present high degree of use- 
fulness and building it up to even a higher degree of excellence we give 
him our unanimous endorsement and support. (Signed) K. K. Leggett, 
T. D. Rowell, John M. Green, W. P. Sebastian, Walton Peteet, L. L. Mc- 
Innis, A. Haidusek, and R. T| Milner." 

In order that the Board might not be confronted with similar conditions 
in the future, they also passed the following resolution and ordered that 
a copy be sent to each member of the Faculty and to other officers of the 
Institution. 

"Complaints against the management of the administration of the A. 
and M. College as conducted by the Presidents and Heads of Departments, 
must in the future be submitted in writing with a statement of facts, 
to the President of the Board. Any other mode of making charges will 
be considered by the Board as distasteful and detrimental to the best 
interests of the Institution." 

The Board then adjourned under the impression that the breach of 
harmony had been bridged and that the work of the institution would 
continue uninterrupted for the remainder of the session. Following the 
departure of the Board on Friday, the 7th inst., the classes on Saturday, 
the 8th inst, refused to attend their recitations. The Board then recon- 
vened by the request of the President of the College, and on arrival found 
a well organized strike existing in the student body. The organization had 
been so perfected and so skillfully managed by some controlling influence 
that the Faculty were powerless, and the members of the Board in their 
individual capacity were unable to break the firm determined stand of the 
students in their conspiracy against discipline and the continuance of Col- 
lege duties. The demand was made that either the President must resign 
or the boys would go home, and the sharp, clear cut issue was drawn as 
to whether we as the highest governing body of the Institution should con- 
trol it or the students. There ought to be and could be but one answer 
to this question. 

The Board met delegation after delegation of the Senior Class, giving 
them every assurance that their complaints would be carefully and patiently 
heard, but were unable to get them to give any sufficient reason for their 
demand that the President be removed. The Board then ordered the 
Faculty to be assembled and presented to them the following resolution: 

"To the Faculty of the A. & M. College. Gentlemen: The Board of 
Directors having been advised that the Corps of Cadets is in a state of 
insurrection and have not attended classes since Saturday morning, and 
have furnished to the Board no sufficient reason or excuse for such action, 
we regard the situation as intolerable and one that must not be permitted 
to continue; we therefore direct the Faculty to proceed at once to firmly 
enforce the rules and regulations of the College and dismiss summarily 
all students who do not promptly return to their classes and submit to 
constituted authority." 

The President of the Board further stated that he was directed by the 
Board to ask the Faculty individually at this time if there was a member 
not willing to do as requested, that he now so state to the Board at this 
Faculty meeting. The Faculty then passed a resolution, with one dissenting 
voice, pledging the Board its co-operation in carrying out the resolution 
just read. 

The students were advised of the action of the Board of Directors 
and of the Faculty, and given ample time to direct their committees to 
confer with the Faculty and with the Board of Directors. After a con- 
ference with both bodies, the students declined to resume work, but the 
Senior Class presented the following communication to the Board: 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 37 

"The Senior Class asks through this committee that they be granted 
a fair hearing before the Board of Directors, in regard to the President. 
To have the hearing we name the following conditions. 

1. That we be allowed a committee of students to sit with the Board. 

2. That we be represented by an attorney before the Board. 

3. That we be allowed to submit evidence before the Board, both 
verbal and written. 

4. That we be allowed to bring before the Board any witness that 
we may desire. 

5. That our attorney be allowed to question all witnesses. 

6. That every man who appears before the Board be fully protected. 

7. That every member of the Board of Directors be present at the 
investigation." 

The Board replied in writing to the Senior Class as follows: 

"Replying to the foregoing communication the Board of Directors desire 
to say that we have always been and are now willing to receive and care- 
fully consider any specific grievance that may be properly presented and 
signed by anybody with respect to the management of the College. Pend- 
ing the receipt of a complaint the Board will make no other assurance than 
that the complaint will be thoroughly and fairly considered and full pro- 
tection extended to complainants and witnesses. 

"Pending the receipt and hearing of any complaint that any members 
of your class may desire to make, the Board requires that such complain- 
ants resume their proper relation as students. (Signed) K. K. Leggett, 
President Board of Directors." 

In response to the foregoing communication a committee of the Senior 
Class, of which T. J. Beesley was chairman, waited upon the Board and 
advised them that the Senior Class would resume their duties tomorrow 
morning and would use their best endeavors to make the other classes 
do the same. Since that time the Senior Class have attended regular 
duties and have not therefore been subject to the order of suspension. 

The succeeding morning the Faculty was called together by the Presi- 
dent of the College and the following resolution was passed: 

"That in view of the failure of the majority of the students to return 
to classes this morning, the student body be notified that any student who 
fails to report for the next regular duty after 1:00 p. m. today, is thereby 
indefinitely suspended in accordance with Section 3, Article 2, Chapter 11, 
Rules and Regulations. ('For the following offenses a student shall be 
subject to dismissal. * * * Being active in promoting any combination 
to interrupt the exercises or to resist the authorities.')" Immediately 
following this resolution the Senior Class finally submitted the following 
charges against the President of the College, and the Senior Class resumed 
work, pending the investigation of their charges. 

"To the Members of the Board of Directors of the A. and M. College: 

At the request of the Committee from the Senior Class, I present 
the following statement. 

I charge that I was dismissed from the A. and M. College in an irregu- 
lar manner at the request of President Harrington. That the Secretary 
was sent out of the room when the Board took action; that no minute was 
made of this action; that no one communicated this information to me 
until about seven weeks after the action was taken (on the 5th of August), 
and that this delay was entirely inexcusable. 

"I further charge that the above action was taken in face of the fact 
that there were abundant results to show that my work was very successful 
among the student body; and, also, in face of the fact that I was not only 
doing the work for which the College had employed me, but I was, also, 
doing without additional cost either to the College or to the student body, 



38 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

the work of General Secretary of the Y. M. C. A., for which service other 
colleges are paying from $1,000 to $1,500 per annum. 

"I further charge that President Harrington was guilty of duplicity at 
the Board meeting of March, 1906, at the Fort Worth session in regard 
to his action in the Pipe Organ matter. Respectfully submitted, Nathan 
Powell. February 12, 1908." 

"Charges against President Harrington. 

"Without authority from the Board of Directors, President Harrington 
interfered with my duties as a Professor by inducing the Health Officer 
to establish over my house a 'small pox quarantine' for a simple case of 
whooping cough. 

"Without authority from the Faculty, he interfered with my son's duties 
as a cadet by similarly confining him to the premises. 

"In violation of the same rights, he demanded the removal of my cook's 
children from the Campus, though they were carefully kept from contact 
with the case of whooping cough. 

"And all this, not through any regard for the interests and welfare 
of the College, as was proved by his refusal to lay a similar quarantine 
when the same disease from any other source appeared in several families. 
(Signed) C. W. Hutson." 

"I can state from my own knowledge that Dr. H. H. Harrington had 
his laundry done regularly at the College laundry from the time I came to 
take charge of the plant (January 18, 1907, until November, 1907). At 
this time he quit sending laundry. About four weeks ago he came to the 
foreman of the laundry and asked him to make out a bill of all his back 
laundry, which the laundryman could not do. 

"Whether the bill has ever been paid or not I do not know. It did not 
go through my offlce. (Signed A. J. Neff." 

"College Station, Texas, February 10, 1908. On the 16th of October, 
1907, while a large circus was showing at Hearne, I handed in a furlough 
that had the names of the following Seniors on it: A. J. Smith, C. M. 
Evans, C. E. Jones, R. W. Faust, W. G. North, V. Kelley. 

"One purpose in going to this circus, which was stated in the furlough, 
was to study the different types of draft animals which were not available 
here at the College. 

"We had the approval of the Head of the Animal Husbandry Depart- 
ment. Dr. Harrington's words when I handed it to him were 'I will consider 
it under no circumstances' and tossed it in the waste basket. (Signed) A. 
J. Smith." 

"February 10, 1908. In answer to question: Curtis Carson was dis- 
charged by order of the President for reasons not known to nie. I consider 
that his services were satisfactory. (Signed) W. W. Evans, Farm Superin- 
tendent." 

"The Committee charge that Dr. Harrington has caused a lack of 
harmony between the corps and the President, which is an impediment 
to the advancement of our College. 

We, the Committee, charge him with arbitrary action in dealing with 
cadets. 

We ask in behalf of the corps why we did not receive the maintenance 
due us for the seventeen remaining days of last session." 

The above charges were presented by a committee of five from the 
Senior Class. They were allowed to call witnesses and to conduct the 
examination. After a complete, careful, and patient hearing on the part of 
the Board the following report was made: 

"College Station, Texas, February 12, 1908. To the Committee repre- 
senting the Senior Class of the A. and M. College. Gentlemen: 

"We have carefully considered the charges submitted by you against 
Dr. H. H. Harrington, President of the College, together with all evidence 
submitted in support thereof. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 39 

"You are respectfully advised that in our opinion the evidence offered 
wholly fails to show that the conduct of President Harrington is subject 
to any proper criticism, or that he otherwise gave a just cause of complaint, 
to any student or member of the Faculty. 

"The evidence submitted does not show arbitrary action, but, on the 
contrary, it shows a commendable solicitude for the interest and welfare 
of the student body, and the highest regard for the welfare of the College. 

"The action of the President in relation to matters of discipline com- 
plained of by the witnesses on the stand in our opinion was wise, and 
meets with our unqualified approval. 

"We are strongly of the opinion that you young gentlemen have no 
just grounds to complain of the action of the President, and we earnestly 
urge you to reconsider your action and stand by the College and its con- 
stituted authorities. 

"This opinion is concurred in by every member of the Board of Directors 
present. (Signed) K. K. Leggett, R. T. Milner, W. P. Sebastian, A. 
Haidusek, L. L. Mclnnis and T. D. Rowell." 

The three lower classes have never resumed their duties after going 
out Saturday. 

The President of the College has been authorized to adjust and pay 
any balance that may be due any student for maintenance for the session 
of 1906-07. 

The Board have found that the College at the beginning of this out- 
break was never in better condition. Within the last two years the at- 
tendance has increased forty per cent. The material improvements which 
have been made, have greatly facilitated the work and efficiency of the 
institution. The services of the College to the people of the State is greater 
than ever before, and the knowledge of its usefulness has steadily and 
rapidly increased. Its popularity in the State and a recognition of its 
value by the people of the State is far greater than at any previous time 
in its history. The Board found in short, that the work of the College was 
progressing in a most satisfactory manner and that there was absolutely 
no reason why it should be interfered with or checked. (Signed) K. K. 
Leggett, T. D. Rowell, A. Haidusek, J. M. Green, Walton Peteet, R. T. 
Milner, W. P. Sebastian, and L. L. Mclnnis. 

Since this statement was completed, the following telegram has "been 
ordered sent to the parent or guardian of each boy that has left the institu- 
tion. 

"College Station, Texas, February 14, 1908. Work will be resumed at 
College Monday morning. Students will be reinstated on application and 
promise to conform to College regulations. We will invite your co-opera- 
tion and continued patronage. Statement follows. 

K. K. LEGGETT, 
President of the Board of Directors of the A. and M. College." 

COMMENTS. 

This statement from the Board for the information of the public, shows 
a very marked tendency to slyly slip over important facts under contest 
and as they have since continued to do, give much prominence to the 
fact that the only real problem for the Board, was to put down a student 
rebellion. To the casual reader much of the statement is either unnoticed 
or misunderstood, unless very carefully studied. 

Even the first sentence is usually misconstrued. It says, "The Board 
of Directors of the A. and M. College of Texas have refrained from giving 
out any statement in regard to the conditions existing at the A. and M. 
College until they had an opportunity to make a full and fair investigation," 
Usually this is accepted to mean that the Board states that they did make 
a fair and full investigation, but it does not say it, and I am certain 



40 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

if they felt they had done such, they would have In plain English said so. 
There is perhaps not a single reader of this who has not had an opportunity 
to do things that were left undone. By a careful perusal you will find they 
merely took their places and acted as if to say, "Come on, we will hear 
any specific thing you have to charge, you must make the charges and 
substantiate them, if you do not prove everything beyond a shadow of a 
doubt, we decree you have no just grounds for complaint. You need not 
expect our assistance in proving your charges, neither will Dr. Harrington 
commit himself by trying to disprove your assertions. Now make your 
charges and do it in a hurry. No, you can have no attorney." 

The statement says "About ten days ago" (the first part of February) 
"rumors of abuses and irregularities existing at the College were brought 
to the attention of certain members of the Board. These rumors were 
communicated to the President of the Board, who promptly called a meeting 
of the Board by wire." 

Now in reality the "rumors" referred to was a letter written by Dr. 
Gilbert, a Faculty member, to his cousin, a graduate of the school. Judge 
John Hornsby of Austin, and for writing, which Dr. Gilbert's resignation 
was called for some few months later. I have never seen the letter but in 
writing to Judge Leggett when his resignation was called for. Dr. Gilbert 
gives an insight not only to the letter, but to the disgustful whitewashing 
done by the Board at the "first exoneration of President Harrington, and 
the prime reason for the 'strike.' " 

In part Dr. Gilbert writes Judge Leggett: 

"In this letter I did state that the future welfare of the college demand- 
ed that there should be an immediate investigation of the state of affairs 
there, and that in my opinion the conduct and policy of the President would 
certainly result in the ruining of the College, and that members of the 
alumni at Austin should be advised of existing conditions and impressed 
with the absolute necessity of prompt action. As you are aware, shortly 
after this letter had been brought to the attention of Governor Campbell 
he requested that you make a full investigation of affairs at the College 
for this purpose. You sought an interview with me. I gave you then noth- 
ing but the truth as I saw it, candidly telling you as one who loves the 
College (not thinking of my own position or my future) and whose every 
desire is to see it developed to its highest standard of efficiency in the 
interest of the youths of Texas; that its future progress, if not its very 
existence, depended upon President Harrington's separation from it. I de- 
clared this then, and since that time I have had no occasion to change my 
mind. In fact, I made a candid and full statement to you of the conditions 
just as they existed, stating in detail the various sources of my information, 
and also all facts within my own knowledge. Some persons, foreseeing the 
action which would be taken, through fear of losing their positions, denied 
what they knew, and also that they had ever made statements of such facts 
as were within their knowledge, but you and the Board, in the superficial in- 
vestigation then made, ascertained that those statements involving serious 
charges against President Harrington had been repeatedly made by those in 
a position to know the facts, to others than myself. 

"During this investigation a number of the members of the Faculty 
and employes of the College were called before your Board, and I felt 
then, and am sure now, that conditions were disclosed which showed that 
the administration of President Harrington was such that the best results 
could not be attained at the College while he continued at its head. For 
some reasons which have never been made clear to us your Board did not 
finish this investigation (my authority for this being a member of your 
Board), but rather precipitately, after only partial investigation, acted, 
and not only exonerated the President, but officially commended him for the 
success of his administration of College affairs. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 41 

"In view of the fact, well known to you and your Board, that the 
arbitrary and intolerant conduct of President Harrington has driven several 
of the most excellent educators connected with the College Faculty to 
resign rather than to further submit to the humiliation which they were 
constantly subjected to; considering the testimony of Faculty members and 
employes, and the further fact that the three upper classes had then filed 
with you a protest against the President, I must confess that in my opinion 
this action of your Board, taken under these circumstances, was the pro- 
vocal cause which led to the unfortunate strike which was inaugurated by 
as manly a set of boys as ever matriculated at any College. 

"I talked with you and other members of the Board the morning fol- 
lowing the day when you abandoned the further prosecution of the investi- 
gation. You concealed from me the purpose you had in mind. You did 
not make known to me that you had arrived at a decision, or advised me 
of any conclusion you had reached. You said nothing to any of the Corps 
of Cadets, whereas I am sure that by the exercise of a little discretion, 
and the consulting on your part with these boys at that critical moment, 
would have prevented in a large measure, if not entirely, the disorders 
which followed later. It rested with the Board alone to do this, but, un- 
fortunately, you failed. If you had acted differently then, the subsequent 
difficulties might have been avoided, even though you had not removed 
the President at that time." 

The Board says, "No formal charges presented against any one." No, 
there were none presented, but there should have been. And the Board 
should have done the presenting. 

It was not proper for a Faculty member or any one to present the 
formal charge against Dr. Harrington except the Board of Directors. 

It was the role of others to give what information they could. The 
defensive way the Board went about the matter showed where they stood 
and as a side issue, perhaps the intentions of the Board, effectually closed 
the mouth of the ones who knew. And this may not be all they did, as 
Mr. B. S'bisa told the Senior Class Committee (of which J. Dale was 
Chairman), a few days later that the Board had instructed him to hold 
no further communications on the subject concerning Dr. Harrington. 

I will add that from the best advices I can get on the subject seven 
men testified before the Board at this first investigation, six of whom 
gave evidence showing that the "abuses and irregularities demanded more 
than a technical hearing." But to this evidence of crookedness came 
the unanimous petition from the three upper classes asking relief from 
the man in power, yet the Board left (as a member of the Board says), 
after only a partial investigation, and wholly ignoring the communication 
from the student body. 

Regarding this petition the Board makes a very misleading statement. 
"No reason for the request was assigned in the petition." I contend that 
a number of very sweeping reasons were assigned, as "for the best interests 
of the College," 'the President is out of harmony with the student body," 
"he has indirectly lowered the College curriculum in the past by being 
the direct cause of the College losing some of her best men," and several 
others, among which was the charge that Dr. Harrington was using his 
high position to further personal interests. 

Now, in answer to all this the Board has to admit to the publishing 
of the following resolution: "Be it resolved by the Board of Directors 
of the A. and M. College, that we express in heartiest terms our unqualified 
faith in the integrity, ability, and absolute fairness of President H. H. 
Harrington in the administration of the affairs of the College; and we 
further declare that in his efforts toward keeping the College at its present 
high degree of usefulness and building' it up to even a higher degree of 
excellence we give him our unanimous endorsement and support. (Signed) 



42 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



K. K. Leggett, T. D. Rowell, John M. Green, W. P. Sebastian, Walton Pe- 
teet, L. L. Mclmiis, A. Haidusek and R. T. Milner." 

The Board then passed a resolution that the petition of the students 
be not entered on the minutes of the Board and had it destroyed. It was 
told me that the reason the petition was treated in this unusual manner, 
was to prevent the President or the Faculty of the College from ever know- 
ing the names of those students who signed it. 

Please notice that the action was concurred in by every member of 
the Board. With this in view it is no wonder that in the ensuing trouble 
no one seemed to be willing to go back on the promised support for less 
than regular landslide of criminal evidence. 




GEO. SKAGGS 



LEM ADAMS. 



The Drafters of the Petition asking for President Harrington's removal. 

The next resolution, which was sent to every officer of the College, 
practically says, "Keep your mouth shut about Dr. Harrington to any one 
but us." And by their actions they plainly represented what would go 
with all the complaints that came to them. For example, Prof. Hutson's 
written complaints made in December to Judge Leggett were never made 
known to the Board, or if they were no action was taken regarding them. 
The ignoring and burning of the students complaint is another object 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 43 

lesson to the ones that desired to complain of Dr. Harrington. This 
resolution played a very important part in preventing the Cadets from 
obtaining substantiating evidence to a number of charges that were not 
presented as well as to the ones presented. 

But after all, this is one resolution that either intentionally or 
unintentionally gave a point to each side. We calculate that its wording 
plainly prevents the President from making trouble with the Heads of 
Departments, and causing them to leave because of "bad health." In other 
words it prevents the President from making Faculty members sick enough 
to be forced to resign without Board action. 

Of all the statements in the report none have given greater offense 
than the reference to the "controlling influence." There is no excuse for 
using this old political "gag" that is invariably used to explain or attack 
some result or action by intimating that it was moved at the dictation 
of some selfish person or motive. 

One writer in speaking of this says, "The Controlling Influence" that 
actuated these boys, or rather I should say men, was the determination 
to free themselves from the imbittering and harassing petty acts of dicta- 
tion, spite, meddling, contemptuous disrespect of feeling, and aristocratic 
assumption of power and authority that should have no place in the 
successful management of a great College." 

As to the charge of "conspiracy," it is an uncalled for perversion of 
facts. These students acted with such unanimity, courage and determina- 
tion, because their long pent-up feelings had been ready to burst into 
indignant revolt at the first opportunity. 

The report says, "the demand was made that either the President 
must resign or the boys would go home. This assertion is untrue. The 
Senior Class whom the Board only recognized never made such a statement 
during the whole trouble. Further on in the report the conditions were 
truthfully represented. "The Senior Class asks through this committee 
that they be granted a fair hearing before the Board of Directors in regard 
to the President." 

In regard to the "clear-cut issue" previously referred to, the statement 
answers, "There ought to be and could be but one answer to this question." 
If this were the only evidence to that end, it is enough to prove that the 
"trial" in full was no more than a diplomatic farce, with the verdict 
decided upon in advance of the hearing of the evidence. 

"The Board met delegation after delegation of the Senior Class, giving 
them every assurance that their complaints would be carefully and patiently 
heard, but were unable to get them to give any sufficient reason for their 
demand that the President be removed." This statement is out of place 
in the report and tends to cause a misunderstanding. The first regular 
Senior Class committee that appeared before the Board with the com- 
munication previously quoted, which begins, "The Senior Class asks through 
this committee that they be granted a fair hearing before the Board of 
Directors in regard to the President," etc. And this took place after the 
the Board presented the communication, which reads as follows: 

"To tne Faculty of the Agricultural and Mechincal College: Gentle- 
men — The Board of Directors, having been advised that the Corps of 
Cadets is in a state of insurrection and has not attended classes since 
Saturday morning and has furnished to the Board no sufficient reason or 
excuse for such action we regard the situation as intolerable and one that 
must not be permitted to continue. We therefore direct the Faculty to 
proceed at once to firmly enforce the rules and regulations of the College 
and dismiss summarily all students who do not promptly return to their 
classes and submit to the constituted authorities." 

At the same time President Leggett of the Board asked the Faculty 
if they were individually willing to do as requested. In reply a resolution 



44 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

was passed with one dissenting vote, that of Prof. C. W. Hutson, the oldest 
member of either the Board or Faculty, pledging the Board their co-opera- 
tion in carrying out the resolution just read. 

The ensuing morning the President called the Faculty together and 
the following order of suspension was passed: 

"That in view of the failure of the majority of the students to return 
to classes this morning the student body be notified that any unexcused 
student who fails to report for the next regular duty after 1 p. m. today 
is thereby indefinitely suspended in accordance with Section 3, Artcile 2, 
Chapter 2, Rules and Regulations. ('For the following offenses a student 
shall be subject to dismissal: ♦ * * Being active in promoting any 
combination to interrupt the exercises, or to resist the authorities.')" 

This was unanimously carried. Prof. Hutson, who the previous morn- 
ing had objected to summary dismissal, voted for the suspension. He 
has been criticised for not voting to support the Board in the dismissal 
resolution, but it will be noticed that when the time came to act, the 
rest of the Faculty came around to his opinion that this was too severe, 
and merely suspended the students. 

A more careful study of the suspension order, and the schedule of 
duties reveals the fact that the duty referred to was nothing more than 
dinner call, at 1:05 p. m. And as no one was reported absent from dinner, 
it may be understood, strictly technically speaking, that the students were 
never suspended. The boys knew of the error but were not disposed to 
take advantage of it. (It his not yet been explained whether this error 
was intentional or not.) 

The Board has always said they were ready to hear any grievance 
against Dr. Harrington. But it is to be understood that they have never 
promised to consider such on its merits. 

Now as to the charges, allow me to first introduce the only defense 
made public by any member of the Board. The comments were written 
by Judge Haidusek and were published in his Bohemian newspaper, and 
translated by T. A. Polansky, a late Senior, head-lined. 

"YOUNG AMERICA WANTS TO RULE A. AND M. COLLEGE." 

He first gives the text of the Board statement and then comments as 
follows: 

"The first of the charges (viz. Powell), Harrington was not required 
to answer for, as Powell's discharge was the result of the action of the 
Board of Directors. I pronounced that the State of Texas does not set 
appropriations aside for religious purposes. I am a Catholic and could 
therefore demand that Catholicism be taught in the institution, the same 
would apply to the purchase of the $2,000 pipe organ, same to be placed 
in the Chapel for the benefit of religious ceremonies. 

"Regarding the laundrying, it was proved that Harrington had several 
washings made, but when he wanted to settle up the account no records 
were on file, therefore it was impossible to make out the blil. According 
to his wife's account the bill amounted to $2.00, which amount Harrington 
paid. 

"Whooping cough was found to be in Prof. Hutson's family, and Dr. 
Harrington wishing to suppress all contagion of said disease ordered Dr. 
Gilbert to quarantine Prof. Hutson's family. In quarantining Prof. Hut- 
son, Dr. Harrington was carrying out the instructions of the Board of 
Directors. 

The students that were refused a furlough to Hearne for the purpose 
of visiting the circus and examining draft animals, should not have felt 
offended, for Harrington committed no crime in refusing them the furlough, 
however, though, he could have let them go, since all young men enjoy 
to attend circuses. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



45 



"As President of the College Harrington has a perfect right to dis- 
charge any laborers of the College Farm without submitting the reason 
why to the farm Superintendent. 

"Why perfect harmony between the President and the Corps did not 
exist was proven to be result of Harrington not freely permitting the 
students to visit Bryan and often not telling them the reason why he would 
not permit them to go, or that sometimes he demanded their motive for 
visiting Bryan. In this' way the students felt as if they were insulted, and 
hence the increase of friction between him and the students." 

Commenting on the explanations by Judge Haidusek and the charges 
at the same time, I will say that the Board seems to think that by saying 
they dismissed Dr. Powell they dismiss the charge. Were this the case, 
the charge would dismiss itself by its very statement; but the complaint 
is not that he was dismissed by the Board, but the underhanded way 
President Harrington acted in the matter, and, as Mr. Powell says, mis- 
informing the Board of the circumstances, and failing to notify Mr. Powell 
for seven weeks after the action. 

The Judge even questions the right of the Board to have a Chaplain, 
or an organ in the Chapel. And from the facts in the case his opinion must 
not be vigorously opposed by others of the Board, as we have been since 
the first of last December without a Chaplain at the College. But whatever 
is the opinion of the Board concerning the organ which the students and 
campus people offered to pay half on (Harrington himself pledging $50.00), 
does not excuse Dr. Harrington from his two-faced dealings concerning it. 





REV. NATHAN POWELL A. J. NEFF 

Former Chaplain Superintendent Steam Plant 

Now, concerning the laundry charge which Judge Haidusek has attempt- 
ed to explain in Dr. Harrington's favor, allow me to say that the Senior 
Class Investigation Committee asked Mr. Neff to make a statement that 
he was willing to swear to, concerning his trouble with Dr. Harrington. 
In this statement will be found the "copyrighted" way which Dr. Harrington 
invariably used to get rid of a party when he has once decided to put him 
out. It also shows how the orders of the Board are overridden when 
they do happen to accidentally do something Harrington does not like. 

The Statement. 

"I took charge of the steam plant, January the 18th, 1907. About one 
week after that I noticed a bundle of laundry on the table ready to be 
delivered, and asked Mr. Young, the laundry foreman, whose it was. He 



46 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

stated that it was Dr. Harrington's. I asked him if bills had heretofore 
been sent in or had he been getting it free. He stated no charges had 
ever been made and that the laundry had been done regular since he took 
charge, November 3rd, 1905, except two or three months during 1906. 

"This laundry consisting of tablecloths, sheets, towels, counterpanes, 
napkins, pillow cases, etc., averaging from ten to twenty pieces every 
week during that session, and began again when school started in Septem- 
ber, 1907, and continued until sometime in November. At this time he 
discontinued same. 

"About this time they (Harrington's) requested my wife to nurse his 
baby until a wet nurse could be secured within two days. 

"She nursed the baby about four days and told Mrs. Harrington that 
it would be impossible for her to nurse the baby any longer, but agreed 
to nurse it awhile longer if they would get a wet nurse. 

"Mrs. Harrington became very angry from that time on, refusing to 
speak to us and saying ugly things about us to our friends. The President 
began immediately to find fault with my work, coming to the plant two 
or three times a day, finding fault, even trivial faults. 

"Up to this time he had been perfectly satisfied with my work and 
commended me for the good work I had been doing up to this time. 

"They had never made any kicks about their laundry, but the week 
they became angry with us, she claimed to have lost some pieces, which 
we could not account for, as she never listed her laundry. 

"The next week I requested Mr. Young to make duplicate lists to 
keep my records straight and clear. One of these lists was sent to their 
residence by the man who brought the laundry. 

"Mrs. Harrington came immediately to the plant and demanded a 
reason from the foreman why he had sent a list. She was informed that 
I had it sent, and called for me, and insulted me and said that Dr. Har- 
rington did not like the way things was being run, and that I might expect 
changes that would affect me. 

"After that time they sent no more laundry. Just before the strike 
he came to the foreman, Mr. Young, and requested him to make out a 
bill for past laundry. Mr. Young informed him that he could not do it 
as no record had been kept. This was his first request for a bill. 

"At this time he requested me to pay for my laundry, which had been 
promised would be free, as I was to get the same concessions as my 
predecessor, and he had gotten his laundry, ice and lights free. 

"A committee from the Board had set aside money to build a room 
on my residence and make other improvements and the President was 
with the committee when they inspected the house. Professor Spence 
remarked early in the session that other more urgent work would have 
t ) be dene before he got to my house, but the room has never been built, 
and I attribute it to personal reasons only. 

No other campus people has ever sent laundry to the College laundry 
since I took charge." (Signed) A. J. NEFF, 

Superintendent of Steam Plant and Laundry. 

"As to the time for which Dr. Harrington sent laundry to the College 
laundry, the above statement is correct." (Signed) YOUNG, 

Foreman of Laundry. 

In quarantining Prof. Hutson's house and family, the Judge, says Dr. 
Harrington, was carrying out the instructions of the Board. Regarding 
this I introduce the resolution passed by the Board of Directors of the 
A. and M. College of Texas, at their regular annual meeting, June 27, 1907: 
"It was moved and carried that in case of any infectious or contagious dis- 
ease appearing on the campus or College grounds, the Surgeon shall have 
power, and it shall be his duty to establish such quarantine rules and 
regulations at the houses, as may seem to him necessary. It shall be the 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



47 



duty of the Surgeon to inspect private premises, and require that they be 
kept in a proper sanitary condition. He shall have power to condemn 
drinking water, and to abridge such other 'private rights' as he may think 
necessary for the health of the community. He shall have power to stop 
negroes or others, whether employed on the campus or not, when infected 
with such contagious or infectuous diseases, from passing to and from 
through the College grounds. All regulations must first be submitted to 
the President of the College for his approval." 

On this authority, Judge Haidusek makes the statement that Harring- 
ton was carrying out the instructions of the Board. Any one acquainted 
with the circumstances knows that Dr. Gilbert the Surgeon did not deem 
the quarantine necessary, but entirely unjust, and that President Harring- 
ton overstepped the authority of the Board's resolutions when he ordered 
Dr. Gilbert to place the strict quarantine for whooping cough against his 
judgment. The resolutions give the President only the power to approve 
what the Surgeon does. It will perhaps be a surprise to Uiany to learn 
that the so often mentioned disagreement between the President and Dr. 
Gilbert was occasioned by the President's deception in this matter. 



^. 


J&.'. , ^'t.^^^^^^HM 



PROF. C. W. HUTSON 

He with Dr. Gilbert lost their positions 

from troubles growing' out of tlie 

unjust quarantine. 




DR. JOE GILBERT 



The complaint about the furlough to Hearne was not because it was 
not granted, although by all precedents it should have been, since the 
Head of the Department approved it, but because of the language used in 
turning it down, and because it was not disapproved and made a part of 
the College records as furloughs are, but was immediately consigned to 
the waste-basket. 

We do not deny that Harrington may "fire" any College hand without 
the approval of the Farm Superintendent, but we presented this charge 
for the express benefit of Director Peteet who had made the assertion 
before the Senior Class when asking us to draw up charges against Dr. 
Harrington. "The President cannot fire his Gardener without bringing 
charges against him." We were very sorry that Mr. Peteet had left the 
investigation before this point was brought up. As I said before, it was 
for his express benefit. We would also have been glad for Dr. Harrington 



48 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

to have said why he fired the party mentioned (together with a number 
of others), as it was, because a lady of the family refused to serve as a 
wet nurse for Dr. Harrington's child. 

Mr. Haidusek forgot to mention the influence which resulted from the 
arbitrary dealings of Dr. Harrington, and especially when the recipients 
were relations of Board members or of specially influential men of the 
State. 

Both Mr. Haidusek's and the Board's report are silent on the charge 
by Miles B. Hutson, a Junior, who claimed he was suspended from school 
by the President without authority from the Faculty during the fall term 
examinations. Also no mention is made of the charges by C. W. Robinson, 
P. W. Goodman, C. M. McKay and J. H. Robinson, concerning irregularities 
in maintenance money. However, the Board ordered that the money due 
all students be refunded. During the investigation it was stated that there 
was an "over sight," and that the President "forgot," etc., yet the first 
two named witnesses had reminded the President of the amount due them, 
— and had received it, one by the personal check of the President. And 
nowhere do we find mention of the charges by C. W. Leggett and T. E. 
Holloway, the present and last year's editors-in-chief of the College paper. 
These witnesses testified that it was very distasteful to the President for 
any praise to be given any one connected with the building up of the 
College other than himself; or more particular that the President branded 
as false an article previously mentioned, clipped from "Worlds Work," 
praising Dr. Houston's upbuilding of this College (which upbuilding I now 
add by way of parenthesis is being claimed by Dr. Harrington and his 
friends for him). 

Mr. Leggett charged that in his case the President had stamped as 
false an article written, commending Prof. F. R. Marshall, in which it 
was said that "his energies were a prime factor leading to legislative 
action appropriating money for the purchase of pure-bred herds to be used 
by students in stock judging at this school." 

The injustice of this insinuation by the President has been previously 
referred to, with W. J. Duffel of West as witness. I may also add that 
it was known to the students that the President had made no recommenda- 
tion for appropriations for this purpose, and that by F. R. Marshall and 
others it was brought before the Legislature. 

They also made other charges of unwarranted interference by the 
President with regard to the College press, but these are enough to show 
his injustice on this particular, the charge of "interfering with College 
publications." The rest of the statement needs no comment, but should 
b ' carefi Uy studied if one desires to know the real position and attitude 
of the Board of Directors. 

THE NEWSPAPERS. 

The next few days after the Board's report was made public, the 
College situation was given much publicity before the people. Both sides 
of the controversy were allowed by most papers to express their views 
by properly signed articles. 

Editorially, most of the papers took the stand that it was primarily 
a case of discipline and that the Board could have not acted otherwise 
than they did. Some attempted to explain the situation as one that had 
been worked up by student leaders, while others were bold enough to 
assert that Faculty members were at the bottom of the affair. And yet 
a third explanation was that the students had voluntarily sided with mem- 
bers of the Faculty who were at variance with the President. The papers 
shared the sentiments of all, that it was a very unfortunate affair, and it 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 49 

was largely through them that the Alumni Association was able to reach 
the students who left, and induce them to return and submit to discipline 
and prevent the school being closed. 

Perhaps the strongest defense for Dr. Harrington's administration is 
that of Chas. Rogan of Austin. It will be remembered that later Mr. Rogan 
was at the head of the portion of alumni and ex-students who favored Dr. 
Harrington, and who acted as his attorney until Judge Scott arrived. Mr. 
Rogan's communication, which was widely published, was as follows: 

"Austin, Tex., Feb. 18, 1908.— Messrs. T. J. Beesley, R. H. Standifer and 
Lem Adams, College Station, Texas. — Gentlemen: The daily papers pub- 
lished last Saturday and Sunday gave a full account of the recent trouble 
at the Agricultural and Mechanical College, including the charges by the 
students' committee against President Harrington. Until then the public 
remained silent, as it had no knowledge of the real nature of the trouble. 

After the board of directors had acted, and after a large number of the 
students had departed for their homes, the same papers announced that the 
Senior Class, acting through yourselves as a committee, had issued an appeal 
to the students urging them to return and resume their studies. Being at 
one time a cadet myself and also being an alumnus of that institution, is 
my apology, if one be necessary, for this letter. 

"The papers report that you filed with the Board eight charges against 
the President of the College, one of which was by Rev. Nathan Powell, one 
by Prof. C. W. Hutson, one by A. J. Neff, foreman of the laundry; one by 
W. W. Evans, farm superintendent; one by A. J. Smith, a cadet, and three 
general and indefinite charges by the committee itself as follows: '(1) that 
he has caused a lack of harmony between the corps and the President; (2) 
that his dealings with the students were arbitrary; and (3) that he had 
not refunded the maintenance due the cadets for the seventeen remaining 
days of last session.' 

"The public has the right to presume that there were no other charges 
of any consequence, otherwise they would have been presented with the 
others. 

"After a full and patient hearing the Directors said: 

" 'We have carefully considered the charges submitted by you against 
Dr. H. H. Harrington, President of the College, together with all evidence 
submitted in support thereof. 

" 'You are respectfully advised that in our opinion the evidence offered 
wholly fails to show that the conduct of President Harrington is subject to 
any proper criticism, or that he otherwise gave a just cause of complaint, 
to any student or the Faculty. 

" 'The evidence submitted does not show arbitrary action, but, on the 
contrary, it shows a commendable solicitude for the interest and welfare of 
the student body and the highest regard for the welfare of the College. 

" 'The action of the President in relation to matters of discipline com- 
plained of by the witnesses on the stand in our opinion was wise and meets 
with our unqualified approval. 

" 'We are strongly of the opinion that you yovmg gentlemen have no just 
grounds to complain of the action of the President and we earnestly urge 
you to reconsider your action and stand by the College and its constituted 
authorities.' 

"This board is composed of men who were carefully selected by the 
Governor because of their peculiar fitness for the duties imposed on them 
by law. Each and every member thereof has the entire confidence of the 
people. They are men ripe in judgment and experience. Their strict in- 
tegrity, their ability to discriminate between right and wrong, their sense 
of duty towards the students individually and collectively, and to the Presi- 
dent and Faculty, and to the State and to the Governor under whom they 



50 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

hold their commissions, and the high esteem in which they are held by their 
fellow citizens, prec-lude the idea that their findings are based on other than 
the utmost fairness and justice. 

"Until the proceedings were published the public was in the dark as to 
the cause or nature of the muddle, and, until now, was in no position to 
form an opinion. What I say to you and through you to all other students 
of the College is from the standpoint of a citizen and an alumnus of the in- 
stitution and solely for your welfare, I sincerely hope that on a second and 
sober thought you young men will fully realize the awkward predicament in 
which you have placed yourselves before the people. 

"Expressions of sorrow and of profound surprise are heard nearly every- 
where. In fact, the verdict of those who have read the reports is unanimous 
that the action of the students is inexcusable and that they can not be de- 
fended from any standpoint. They say that the personal grievances of Rev. 
Mr. Powell, Prof. C. W. Hutson, the laundryman and farm superintendent, 
are of no concern whatever to the students, unless it be the charge made by 
the laundryman. Of this the Board says: 'That in our opinion the evi- 
dence offered wholly fails to show that the conduct of President Harrington 
is subject to any proper criticism, or to any member of the Faculty.' As to 
all the other charges the Board, after hearing the evidence, completely 
exonerates the President and commended his course as wise. 

"The people further say that while the action of the students can not be 
defended, they nevertheless feel that you should not be too severely censured 
for the reason that they believe some one or more persons who had your 
confidence has abused it by taking advantage of your tender years to further 
a selfish end by advising you to pursue a course calculated to confront you 
on every hand and to work to your detriment in after years. 

"Rebellion against constituted authority is a serious offense. No person, 
firm or corporation desires the services of any man in his employ who may 
lay down on him at a time when his services as most needed. They regard 
such a person as unreliable and unworthy of trust. When war was declared 
between the United States and Spain the Secretary of War called upon the 
Commandant and the President of the College for men to accept commis- 
sions as officers in the United States army. If my memory serves me right 
there was but one who came up to the requirements and he was duly com- 
missioned and honored. But suppose he had been guilty of insubordination, 
or had ever defied constituted authority, do you suppose it would have been 
possible for him to obtain a commission in the army? 

"Do you young men fully realize that you have defied the authority of 
the Board of Directors, the authority of the President, and also the authority 
of the Faculty? That you have done so can not be denied. Having done 
so, how can the wrong be corrected? How can you restore yourselves in the 
estimation of the people, of the Directors, of the President and of the Fac- 
ulty? There is but one way by which it can be done, and that is by acknowl- 
edging the error and by asking the pardop of all to whom offense has been 
given. 

"To do this involves moral courage. I believe you have it. Brave men, 
when they find they are in error, never hesitate to promptly acknowledge it, 
and they are anxious to repair the injury by asking the pardon of the person 
offended. Cowards never do. Let me beg of you not to let this opportunity 
pass. It will be too late after you leave the College either to right the 
wrong or to then raise yourselves in the estimation of the people. 

"President Harrington is a most excellent man. He has made a splendid 
executive. Under his administration the attendance has increased about 40 
per cent. The College is taking a standing that its friends have long since 
desired. If I were a cadet I would personally apologize to him and to each 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 51 

of the Faculty whose orders to attend , class I had disobeyed. I would also 
join in a written apology to the Board to be filed with it at its next regular 
meeting. 

"I am, sincerely yours, 

"CHARLES ROGAN." 
Bishop Johnson, of San Antonio, President of The West Texas Military 
Academy, strongly approved the action of the Board without going into the 
merits of either faction. He says: 

San Antonio, Texas, February 16, 1908. 
"I, doubtless with many others, both in and out of the State, have been 
watching with intense interest the progress of the revolt against the con- 
stituted authorities, which has been going on at the Agricultural and Me- 
chanical College during the past week. 

"As one deeply concerned in the cause of public education, as well as 
public morals, so nearly kin, I feel justified in addressing you publicly on 
the subject of the conditions existing at that, one of the most important of 
the State's institutions of learning. 

"The paper this morning announces that the Board of Inquiry completely 
exonerated the President from any blame in the matter, and therefore re- 
fused to recommend his resignation, whereupon the whole student body 
withdrew from the Colllege. 

"It seems to me that a great opportunity is now presented to teach a 
wholesome lesson, not to this State only, but to the whole country, which 
has its eyes turned on us, on the subject of paternal authority and filial 
obedience, which lie at the very foundations of National stability. 

"The lack of reverence for authority, beginning in badly regulated homes 
and running through life, is one of the crying evils of our times, and it is 
also the greatest menace to the perpetuation in their purity of our free in- 
stitutions. 

"Absolute monarchies, backed by bayonets, can exist indefinitely by force, 
as seen in Russia, whether the people be virtuous or villainous; but Re- 
publics can not survive the loss of virtue and respect for law and its execu- 
tives whom the people have put in power; for if the creator is corrupt, so 
will be the creature. The basis for these virtues must be laid in the family, 
where the character of a people is crystalized. 

"For the State authorities to yield to a demand of the students of a 
State institution, where they are being generously given a gratuitous educa- 
tion to fix them for high and noble citizenship, would be to weaken the 
hands of every father and mother in the land who is struggling to do his or 
her duty by their children; and who are thereby doing all in their power to 
combat the solcialistic and anarchistic tendency of our times by implanting 
in the minds of their offspring reverence for constituted authority, which is 
the corner stone of all noblest character. 

"Should the State authorities back down in the face of the imperious dic- 
tation of these misguided striplings, doubtless dominated by some leading 
spirit of disorder to raise the flag of rebellion against the State, it would 
be to endanger the very existence of the splendid educational system of 
this commonwealth. 

"Every president of every institution of learning, beginning with the 
university and descending to the smallest academy and cross roads school, 
would henceforth feel that he held his position, not under authority, but at 
the whim of the student body. 

"I trust, therefore, that the Board of Trustees will stand firmly by the 
action of their committee of inquiry and give notice through you, the 
Executive, to all parents whose sons have left the college without leave 
that if they are not returned within a reasonable time, say two weeks, it 
shall become impossible for them to re-enter at all; and furthermore, I 



52 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

hope they will request all school commissioners throughout the State and 
all heads of private schools and colleges, out of loyalty to the State 
authorities, and for the highest good of family life and the interests of 
education, to refuse to receive these mutinous students into their institu- 
tions. 

"Some such action as this will impress upon the minds of the people of 
this State, young and old, the seriousness of the question involved. It is 
scarcely possible that it would fail to bring back to the College at least one- 
half of the students, and so enable it to continue its exercises to the regular 
time of closing. 

"As President of the West Texas Military Academy, I pledge myself 
loyally to sustain the action of the Board should it see fit to take this course 
and carry it to a successful issue. 

"It is of the greatest importance to the future of this commonwealth as 
well as to the cause of education throughout the entire country; for if this 
great State fails in its duty it will spread a spirit of sedition throughout the 
length and breadth of the land." 

BUSINESS MEN OF BRYAN ISSUE STATEMENT. 

When the College was left without a student body, the business men of 
Bryan realized that if the state of affairs continued Bryan would be hurt 
financially, and for this reason the following statement was sent out. It 
was to be noticed and appreciated by the students that the business men 
with whom the students came in contact did not subscribe to the document. 
This attempt to get the students back was not addressed to them, but to 
their parents, and was very much resented since so large a part of the stu- 
dents come to this College on their own initiative, a majority of whom are 
partially paying their way, and seventeen per cent, their full expenses. 
The call reads: 

"To the Parents and Guardians of Students of the Agricultural and Me- 
chanical College: We earnestly urge that you return your boy to the Agri- 
cultural and Mechanical College at once to resume his studies. The com- 
plaints of students were carefully investigated by the Board of Directors 
appointed by Governor Campbell, representing every portion of the State, 
and they unanimously decided that there existed not the slightest ground 
for any dissatisfaction. We are firmly of the opinion that there exists no 
reason for the present conditions and that the administration of Dr. H. H. 
Harrington has been just and that the situation is one that is possible to 
arise in any school where the regulations are strictly enforced. We ask 
that you do not allow your son to start in life with the idea that he can 
revolt against recognized authorities without good cause. A large number 
of boys are at College now and practically all of them interviewed singly 
expressed great regrets, but stated they were bound by class action. We 
are in position to know the conditions existing at the A. and M. College and 
can say that affairs are in the best of condition; the attendance larger, the 
equipment better, and that there is more demand for the graduates of this 
College today than ever before. 

"Signed: G. S. Parker, president City National Bank; A. W. Wilkerson, 
cashier City National Bank; R. M. Gordon, vice-president Gordon Sewall 
Grocery Company; H. O. Boatwright, vice-president First National Bank; 
W. E. Saunders, president Business League; J. E. Butler, Mayor of Bryan; 
Ed Hall, president City School Board; J. H. Allen of Allen Academy; R. O. 
Allen, of Allen Academy; H. W. South, of Allen Academy; O. C. Charlton, 
president Texas Woman's College; James D. West, pastor of Presbyterian 
Church; Tyler Haswell, senior warden Episcopal Church; James A. Challen- 
er, pastor Christian Church; Geo. B. Butler, pastor First Baptist Church; 
Rev. J. B. Turrentine, pastor of Methodist Episcopal Church." 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 53 

In regard to this, Milton Everett, a News reporter, says: 

"I made some inquiries about the origin of this address, and Mr. G. S. 
Parker, the president of the City National Bank, informed me that it was 
prepared in his bank and was taken around to the signers by himself and 
Mr. Gordon of the Gordon-Sewell Grocery Company. Mr. Parker was quite 
frank and open in telling about the origin of the address, and explained that 
a good many of the signers were talked to over the telephone and authorized 
their names signed to it. It will cause no surprise that eighteen citizens 
of a city of 5,000 population signed an address endorsing President Har- 
rington, when said address is backed up and circulated by two of its leading 
citizens. Neither will it cause surprise that these gentlemen interested 
themselves in getting as many as eighteen citizens to sign an address, when 
it is known that the City National Bank handles large sums of money for 
the college, and does a considerable and profitable business with it, all be- 
cause of the favor of President Harrington. No one can blame Mr. Parker, 
the president of the City Bank, in doing what he can for Dr. Harrington 
and securing what favor he can for him when it is remembered that Mr. 
Mclnnis, the cashier of the competing bank, the First National, is a member 
of the Board of Directors, and to that extent has the "inside track" on the 
expenditure of over four hundred thousand dollars a year. In connection 
with this bank matter it should be said that Dr. Howell, the president of 
the First National Bank, did not even for a second hesitate to give his views 
about Dr. Harrington because of the possibility of his bank losing a few 
dollars in the handling of the funds of the college, and when I asked him 
about the trouble between the President and the students, he said: "It is 
a case of a new President or a new set of students. Dr. Harrington has 
never been popular with the students or any one else, so far as I know." I 
asked Dr. Howell about the reports that Dr. Harrington, as President of 
the college, used his position to gratify his personal predilections, and he 
said: "Harrington favors his friends and punishes his enemies." It is 
proper to say that Dr. Howell was the only person among a large number 
who had a financial or other interest in the college management, who laid 
no injunction that what he said in criticism of the President should not be 
given publicity in connection with his name. It may also be said that Dr. 
Howell signed the address as a matter of form, as others did, as I was told, 
which is not remarkable, when we remember how easy it is to get persons 
to sign petitions, which in most cases represent nothing but the desires of 
the persons who circulate them. 

"So far as addresses and petitions are concerned, I should judge from con- 
versations held with the business men of Bryan that an address disapprov- 
ing President Harrington's administration would be signed by many hun- 
dreds of the people of that city." 

These expressions about cover all the points in articles that were unsym- 
pathetic to the students. 

SENTIMENT FAVORING STUDENTS. 

The first man to publicly espouse the students' side of the controversy 
was George P. Finlay of Galveston, ex-Comptroller of State. Judge Finlay 
wrote Governor Campbell asking him to declare himself and settle the mat- 
ter in the following manner: 

"Reorganize the whole faculty, place a first-class man at its head who 
is in no manner involved in this matter; declare a general amnesty and 
order all cadets back to their duties and all will be serene. Otherwise a 
storm will sweep over the State such as has never been known in its his- 
tory. I love Texas, her history and her people. I have given her all my best 
manhood from youth up. I have shed my blood that she might live, and 
today, bordering on my eightieth year, I feel my cheek mantle with shame 



54 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

and my heart bursting wiih indignation as I contemplate the destruction 
of this noblest and best of all our institutions. I would rather see war with 
its iron hoof traverse the land from end to end; pestilence, famine and dis- 
ease stalk from house to house and desolation brood over hearthstone, than 
to see the souls and spirits of our noble youth crushed beneath the foot of 
senseless, brutal and irresponsible power. 

"GEORGE P. FINLAY." 

Judge R. E. Hanney, of Hempstead, wrote Mr. Finlay a letter thanking 
him for his stand, but added that he thought the boys made a mistake in 
their method. The reply was as follows: 

"Galveston, Texas, Feb. 20, 1908. 
"Judge R. E. Hannay: 

"Your kind letter received. You are wrong about the boys making a 
mistake. They did just what a lot of thoroughbreds were expected to do 
under the circumstances. 

"They lesented a series of insults in a manner dignified and without 
passion, which will finally find its way to the public heart and conscience. 

"The whole thing on the part of the State (the Directors) has been a 
farce. They met for no other purpose than to degrade the boys under the 
false cry of discipline — that resort of cowards — and time sermons, a^d in 
this the big daily papers aided them, by suppressing the facts, which would 
have damned them if known. 

"Discipline is a fine word to juggle with, particularly when you would 
obscure the utter worthlessness and meanness of those in power in this case. 

"They tried and banished five hundred boys without notice, by establish- 
ing a Rubicon over them, which their very manly virtues compelled them 
to cross. 

"They set an hour for the return of every boy to classes, to be dismissed 
on refusal. And now they have the gall and indecency to say they dismissed 
themselves. 

"No, sir. Our boys are a brave, noble, manly set; the Governor is a weak, 
boneless invertebrate, and the layout at College is the legitimate spawn of 
their progenitor, the Governor. 

"These boys, just budding into manhood, are the best judges of character 
on earth, and the future of the College will surely justify my faith in the 
righteousness of their judgment. 

"Time will demonstrate that they have builded better than the public 
dreamed of. 

"When the present session ends, one of two things will happen: either 
the present head will pass out, or the College will languish and die. And 
if the boys are true to each other, they will escape the latter doom. 

"GEORGE P. FINLAY." 

Judge C. W. Nugent, another prominent man, also gave early voice to his 
sentiments, and offered a much less radical solution. In part he says: 

"That I am a native Texan, a son of a native Texan, and a grandson of 
a man who gave up his life on the red lands of Nacogdoches in the Predonian 
war that American civilization might live in Texas, I feel that my love of 
this great Commonwealth is well founded, and that I am warranted in giving 
my views upon the troubles at our Agricultural and Mechanical College, an 
institution of which every Texan might well feel proud. 

"If an inconsiderable number of the cadets had rebelled against the Pres- 
ident because of some wrong, real or imaginary, and had left the school, 
such might be termed mutineers, and caustic criticism of such students 
might not be so objectionable. 

"If the entire student body had violated the rules of discipline in vogue 
in the school and acted in a lawless or ungentlemanly manner, less respect. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 55 

of course, should be shown their demands, and less excuse extended for their 
action in leaving the school, but that is not the history of this trouble. 

"In the first place it is a mistake to adversely criticise our boys and 
brand them as mutineers and cast odium upon them, because these boys 
have shown to the world by their former good conduct and magnificent rec- 
ords as students of our proud institution that they represent the best blood 
of this land. 

"They have shown by their organization and generalship up to the time 
of suspension and leaving school that they are not children, but that they 
are young men of splendid character and cultivated minds, with power of 
concerted action. 

"These cadets are the material for the leading citizenship of the future 
of our State. 

"They should not be branded as mutineers, nor treated with disrespect 
in so summary a manner as has characterized their treatment by the press 
and by some prominent citizens over the State. 

"My regard for the honor, intelligence and patriotism of the youths of 
Texas, the scions of our best citizenship, is too great, and my respect for 
their motives is too deep and well founded to think that five hundred and 
fifty of such youths, influenced by nothing save their own sense of right 
and honor, as well as a love for their institution, could be all wrong and 
Dr. Harrington alone right. 

"The unanimity of their decision and the solidity of their action, accom- 
panied by discipline and gentlemanly deportment that reflect the greatest 
credit should convince any fair mind that those boys have not acted upon 
a hasty impulse, but after great deliberation, convinced that further submis- 
sion to control by Dr. Harrington was insupportable, and that the welfare of 
the school demanded his resignation or removal. 

"They perhaps made a mistake in their method, but the end to be at- 
tained was certainly one demanded by the welfare of the College, and the 
sooner that truth is acted upon the better for the institution as well as for 
our boys. 

A SOLUTION. 

"The Board of Directors should have requested the cadets to return to 
their duties, with the understanding that they withdraw all demands and 
submit to the constituted authorities and that pending a full, fair and public 
investigation and full expressions from the public Dr. Harrington would be 
suspended, and his office meanwhile filled by a competent scholar of well- 
known character and fitness. 

"Dr. Harrington should have welcomed a plan of that kind; order and 
discipline and the good name of the school would have been preserved, and 
then the cadets would not have been visited with such humiliating and un- 
just criticism, and instead of being separated and scattered over the State 
and persuaded to violate their solemn obligation made to each other, which 
means the first lesson in discounting the value of their obligation and their 
honor, and a more dangerous precept could hardly be given a youth. 

"If held together as above suggested and approached as a body and the 
cadets could have been shown that they had made a mistake, they could, 
with a preservation of their integrity, and respect for their obligations to 
each other and a protection of their pride have reversed themselves if the 
conditions warranted, by concerted action and a mutual understanding. 

"Thus the integrity and good reputation of the school and the organiza- 
tion of the student body would have been preserved and perpetuated with 
discipline and obedience to constituted authority and justice and respect to 
all concerned. 

"Better that a boy never learned to read than that he be taught to lightly 



56 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

consider his word or obligation. Better that he be dead than that he permit 
himself to be treated as an inferior creature or made the puppet of any 
autocrat. This grand State should send up three cheers for our noble and 
manly boys, who would sacrifice the hopes and opportunities for an educa- 
tion rather than bow the suppliant knee to a self-constituted czar or be 
treated as an humble vassal. 

"That the further retention of Dr. Harrington as President of the Agri- 
cultural and Mechanical College means the hopeless destruction of the school, 
no sane man will question. 

"Will the best interests of five hundred and fifty young men of the best 
families of Texas, as well as the educational interests of the State, present 
and future, be subordinated to the interests of Dr. Harrington or to a blind 
worship of discipline 

"Discipline is not at stake. 

"Let Harrington go, or resign, and these boys will return immediately 
and make the best body of students in the State, or any State, and give 
them a President fitted for the place, and they will stand by him and their 
school with their lives. 

"I say God bless the noble boys of Texas. 

"Without questioning the honor of Dr. Harrington, he is not the man 
for the responsible place he holds. 

"C. W. NUGENT. 

"Conroe, Texas." 

A number of unreasonable people talked to the students after the strike 
in a very discourteous way, as if they knew everything about something 
of which they really knew nothing. They through mere ignorance thought 
they knew it all, and further they felt and said in substance that all wis- 
dom was monopolized by those who were either through school, or, as the 
case generally was, those who had gotten too old to go to school before 
they were fortunate enough to have a chance at that blessing. Further- 
more, such persons thought that not only wisdom belonged to them alone, 
but also justice, and that justice was not justice unless first so decreed 
by themselves, and that there was no more chance for a school boy at the 
age of twenty knowing what was justice than there was for the sky to fall. 
Such persons as these had a habit of calling the boys "anarchists," "social- 
ists." "lawless strikers," "mobs," and destroyers of the principles that un- 
derlie all government (they meant tyrannical monarchial government, per- 
haps) ; and when such persons with such dope as this issuing forth from 
their heads approached a cadet and demanded an excuse for his "inexcusa- 
ble behavior," he usually received a just rebuke or was confronted with si- 
lence, as a self-respecting student thought it beneath his dignity to hold a 
conversation with such parties, especially if there was any danger of any- 
one seeing him with such party or if there was any liability of said party 
having an opportunity to publish such statements as he might make, thus 
connecting their names. And for such was the reasons that a number of 
these "jam up" people who think principles are things which only other 
people are amenable to, had occasion to wear out a few pens, disgrace 
virgin paper and add to the hours of the "printer's devil" by writing as 
how the students were without any reasons for their most outrageous 
conduct in allowing themselves to be made the tools of people who were 
fighting out personal grievances, etc., ad infinitum.. 

But all are not of this type, as will be seen by reading the following 
which is an extract from an article in the Farm and Ranch, written by 
Milton Everett, who approached a person as if he considered him as having 
at least judgment and a sense of justice: 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 57 

"SOME OF THE CHARGES MADE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT." 

"That complaints are made and grumbling heard against a person in a 
position of authority over others is not necessarily an indication that duty 
is not performed or justice meted out to those complaining. Whenever 
general complaining is heard, aimed at no specific act or particular person; 
or when the complaining is done by a small percentage of a certain body, 
the burden of complaint not centering on a particular thing, the condition 
may be ascribed to the idiosyncracies of individuals, the condition of the 
health or the state of the 'weather and will soon adjust itself. Knowing 
nothing of conditions at the Agricultural and Mechanical College, having 
no acquaintance with the members of the faculty nor relations with any 
of the student body, and uninformed by statements appearing in the press, 
it occurred to me that the best way to determine whether there was a 
basis for the complaints against the President would be to find out what 
complaints there were against members of. the faculty or others in author- 
ity, and to find out if the relations between the members of the faculty 
were such as to create rivalry and partisanship among the students. With- 
out making any plans in advance, on my arrival at the College (which was 
on Sunday, February IG), I interviewed the first persons I met, and these 
chanced to be some students in Foster Hall. From that time until Thurs- 
day midnight I interviewed, according to a check mark account kept, one 
hundred and thirteen persons, the most of whom of course were students; 
the others being officers, professors, instructors, alumni and business men 
of Bryan. If these persons knew of any friction between the members of 
the faculty or any complaints that students had against the faculty, they 
failed or refused to make it known. If there were any complaints against 
the students for misconduct, faculty members denied the fact. Some, of 
course, declined to answer questions relating to the friction between the 
President and the students, but none that I remember refused to give an- 
swer to queries regarding complaints or difficulties between members of 
the faculty or between students and members of the faculty. Two of the 
persons set down as having been interviewed were only asked questions 
about their own departments. 

"With reference to Dr. Harrington, only five expressed an opinion favor- 
able to him as President; some, as heretofore stated, declined to give opin- 
ions, but I should say that at least a hundred of the number were emphatic 
in giving testimony favorable to the students' side of the controversy. The 
unanimity on this subject was, to say the least, out of the ordinary. 

"No one could fail to understand, after having heard all of the state- 
ments, that whatever the underlying cause might be, there is a real basis 
for the demand for the President's resignation. As a member of the Board 
that elected Dr. Harrington said, 'Right or wrong, it is evident the Presi- 
dent is not a leader of men and has irretrievably lost control of the situa- 
tion at the College." One of the Senior Class told me that under the admin- 
istration of former President Houston there was a personal relation be- 
tween the President and the students that does not now exist, and as an 
indication of this relation pointed to the fact that the students used to 
take the new boys to the President and introduce them to him, but that 
this practice had ceased under the present administration. He said that 
the former President, as well as his predecessors, was accustomed to visit- 
ing the hospital to chat with and cheer up the sick boys, but such action 
was not heard of now. 

"One student who had just left the hospital after several weeks of sick- 
ness, said that the present head of the College only came to the hospital on 
business, unless some of the parents were there, or that the President de- 
sired to raise a quarrel with some one, as he had just done. 



58 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"Some complained that when the athletic teams were in tjaining that 
specially prepared dishes of food, which were paid for by the students, 
were given to or taken by others. „ . . ^ „ 

''There was general complaint because the amount of maintenance due 
for the seventeen days of the last school year had not been paid. It will 




JOE THORN GILBERT 

Masc-ot of the Football Team, and because his 
C. W. LEGGETT picture appeared in the -Long Horn" there 

President of the Junior Class. came near being serious trouble on the 

Omnibus 
He did not return after the strike. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 59 

many were paid or refused payment I was unable to find out, but I did not 
come across any student who had received his money. 

"Tlie circular issued by the Board of Directors under date of February 
14, 1908, says on this subject: 'The President of the College has been au- 
thorized to adjust and pay any balance that may be due any student for 
maintenance for the session of 1906-07.' Asked about this matter, a mem- 
ber of the Board said it had been 'overlooked.' 

"Another thing about which, while there seems not to have been any 
specific complaint, the students wish information, is regarding the return 
of their trust funds. At the beginning of each session each student is 
required to deposit $5 to pay for breakage or damage to the College prop- 
erty. It appears that the amount in full is not refunded, even if no damage 
is done. One Senior said that he got 'soaked' for about $3 a session although 
he had never broken or damaged anything. He could not account for it, but 
supposed that a lump sum was deducted from the inmates of each dormi- 
tory. 

"But the main, and I might say, the universal objection the students 
have to Dr. Harrington as President arises from his manner toward them. 
An alumnus who studied chemistry under him stated the prevailing feeling 
when he said that he was disliked because 'he was haughty, icy and bossy 
with the boys.' Several told me that when they had to go to the President 
for anything 'he treated us like we were niggers.' Only one student could 
I find who had no complaint on this score, and he stated that his only griev- 
ance was that he had not been paid the amount due him on maintenance 
of last year." 

IN DEFENSE OF THE STUDENTS' ACTIONS. 

In defense of the students' actions the writer sent the following open 
letter to Governor Campbell: 
"To the Governor of Texas: 

"Your Excellency — I feel that it is time for a Senior to express his views 
of the situation at College, and especially the causes. The students have 
had little time to make out their case to the public and have blundered 
into letting the people take the situation as represented by the press, and 
the honorable Board of Directors, both of whom are evidently greatly inter- 
ested in the welfare of the College and a speedy solution of the problem. 
The alumni are -working like students, and at the last minute the Seniors 
turned the situation over to them and trusted them as the lower classmen 
did for a time the Seniors. And it is to be deplored that a number of the 
Seniors as well as lower classmen are now chafing at the apparent delay, 
just as the lower classmen had done while the Senior Class had control of 
the situation. 

"The alumni mean business and are sparing no pains to make a speedy 
settlement of the situation and should be trusted. They are determined not 
to make the same mistake of hastiness that has so far furnished nothing but 
defeat. 

"Of all the things that are stinging the students is the strong indorse- 
ments given by the Board to President Harrington. They consider that 
the Board has placed the President on a pedestal of 'infallibility' heretofore 
reserved for no human other than the Pope of Rome. 

"The misrepresentations of conditions at College also does the ones here, 
or a number of them, an injustice. For example, will mention the manner 
used to get out the 'resolutions' by the lower classmen. Mr. Tibbetts claims 
that the resolutions were not the work of students here, but were the work 
of one of the professors. The committee names were put up by them and 
also affixed, or at least his was, without his permission. He also, when he 
found out that his name was on this petition, tried to get it removed, but 
could not. 



60 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"The articles in Sunday's papers fairly disgusted the students that have 
remained, as well as the ones that are at home. The quotations from 'Blen- 
heim' and the blood-curdling oaths, said to have been taken by the lower 
classmen, was quite a flight of fancy, that in itself caused students to leave. 
Much disapprovel was also caused by the statement signed from Bryan, 
which included the names of practically all the ministers of Bryan and 
several of the business men, who of course had reasons for wanting the 
boys returned, and the question on every lip was, 'Do you suppose the devout 
men who are doing so much good work in Bryan, and especially Allen Acad- 
emy, are aware of the fact that A. and M. was without a spiritual adviser?' 
The one that has been with the boys during the time since Dr. Bittle's 
death, one that has done so mu^'h individual work among the students, had 
brought the Y. M. C. A. to a position of importance among the college Y. 
M. C. A.s of the Southwest; one who made it possible for the delegates to 
the Southwestern conference in December last to report with pride Texas 
A. and M. as having the largest number of volunteer Bible students; a man 
who has furnished the animal husbandry department with blooded stock 
without cost — this man. Dr. Powell, was asked to resign by the Board at 
the request of Dr. Harrington for the mere reason that he had a live stock 
farm and through competent representatives dealt in fine blooded stock. 

"Not only does so complete a vindication of the President by the Board 
give the cadets reason to feel that they have not had justice, but their re- 
port is gotten out in such a way that, either intentionally or unintentionally, 
the very complaints of the students are squashed, and only those of others 
than the cadets published, many of which the student body knew nothing 
of until the report of the Board gave them to the public. This has placed 
the students in a light before many of the people, who do not think to read 
between the lines, as having no cause for complaint whatever; therefore we 
get ridicule, which is something that is making many a proud and loyal 
student of the Texas A. and M. give up the stand he has taken in trying 
to show he has the interests of the A. and M. at heart, lose in spirits, hang 
his head, and grope to the station to buy a ticket for parts unknown. 

"The term 'anarchists' has been applied to the students, and they are 
of the unanimous opinion that Webster will have to revise his dictionary, 
or that these same persons had better consult Captain Moses concerning our 
conduct and receive the reply, 'That each and every one of us acted like 
perfect gentlemen.' They should also be told the captain's answer to the 
President when he continually wanted militia to protect him and State prop- 
erty. It was, 'The State property was never in better hands.' To any rea- 
sonable man it is foolishness to suppose that the students of such a strict 
disciplined institution would rise up in an unanimous revolt for no reason, 
or even for the reasons given out to the public, and be willing to sacrifice 
their chances of an education by SS per cent leaving the College, and had 
it not been for the work and promises of justice swift and sure by the alumni 
the College would have been without a single student. 

"And such has not been the case, for a swift summary of the grievances 
in general and not in particular, note: 

"1. Ungentlemanly conduct toward the students. 

"2. The President is out of harmony with the student as a body and as 
individuals (very clearly proven by late actions.) 

"3. The President was using his official authority to settle private 
grievances, and even mere disputes, regardless of the consequences to the 
College, by removing fully competent men, and often heads of departments, 
who were very popular with the students. 

"4. Inattention and neglect of the sick in the hospital, which he even 
carried so far as to enter wards where there were bad cases of pneumonia 
and measules with his hat on and smoking a cigar. 

"5. Disregarding all petitions and recommendations from the College 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 61 

and outside the College concerning the appointment of a director of the 
Experiment Station and being himself appointed, thus drawing money from 
two positions at the same time. 

"6. Alienating the support of the Stock Raisers' Association. 

"7. Arbitrary action toward students concerning matters of discipline 
and privileges. 

"8. Not using the residence furnished him by the State, in place of 
which he fitted up a dwelling a few miles out in the country, charging it to 
the 'contingent fund' of the Experiment Station. 

"9. Obtaining supplies from the commissary and dairy without cost, 
including even supplies for public receptions. 

"10. Absolute disregard for the spiritual welfare of the students. 

"11. Interfering with the freedom of the College publications. 

"12. He does not mingle with the students or help or give his moral 
support and advice to student movements. 

"13. Showing absolute disrespect to members of the Senior Class. 

"14. In granting permits, would not take into consideration the cir- 
cumstances. 

"15. Showing and often stating his disapproval if 'disturbed at home' 
under circumstances that admitted of no delay. 

"16. Failure to return more than a very small per cent of fully $3,000 
due the students. 

"17. Overstepping his authority. 

"And innumerable others which are here refrained from and which 
were omitted at the investigation to prevent pulling women into the trouble. 
But will not take up your time to name them, and will ask that any rea- 
sonable man say that "We had no just cause of complaint," as the Board 
stated it. 

"Now of all the charges you will notice that the sixteenth is the only 
one sustained by the Board. 

"It is possible that all these charges can not be proven, but I do know 
that the students believe them true and that the Board in place of in- 
vestigating them, either to verify or disapprove, covered them an inch 
thick with whitewash, which has already begun to crack and peel off. 

"In making these statements to you and to the public I will add that I 
have not taken a real active part in the late movement, though I am in full 
accord with it. That as a member of the Senior Class I am unable to 
point out any real individual leaders in the trouble. 

"Some member of the Board has expressed himself as having a matter 
of discipline and not one of right and wrong to decide. In answer will say 
that it may appear that way at first, though, but who should go and be so 
headstrong and determined as to ruin a school to save a technical discipline. 
No one is more conscious of the wrong in opposing regular constituted 
authority than I am. As a proof, I ask that my four years' record here 
go to prove this. But I also have enough patriotism to be acquainted with 
that famous manuscript, 'The Declaration of Independence,' and that some 
of the 'inalienable rights' therein set forth do not have to be modified very 
much to apply to our case. I know public sentiment is also opposed to the 
principles of rebellion, but I have yet to find the person that has not re- 
spect for 'rebellious characters' that have made the history of the world. 
Who does not applaud Sam Houston, George Washington, Martin Luther, 
the nobles who obtained the Magna Charta and a score of other 'rebels' 
who stood up against tyranny? 

"When the right of rebellion is taken from the governed, the last stum- 
bling stone in the way of a tyrant is removed and then free government 
runs into despotism. PAUL D. CASEY, 

"Member of the Senior Class, A. & M. College, Texas. 

"College Station, Texas, February 18, 1908." 



62 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

THE STRIKE AS VIEWED BY OTHER STUDENTS. 

The following editorial appeared in the "Texan," the semi-weekly news- 
paper of the students of the University. Eugene L. Harris was editor-in- 
chief. 

"Constituted authority, respect for which is a cardinal virtue of the 
Anglo-Saxon character, is something which it may well be doubted whether 
any but the most unbearable circumstances will justify overturning by 
other than constitutional means. Still, the 'sacred right of revolution' 
against tyranny has always been the resort of the Anglo-Saxon in the last 
extremity, and whenever such means have been found necessary they have 
usually been successful. 

"The splendid manner in which the A. & M. students lived up to both 
of these principles throughout the late troubles in that institution is In 
keeping with the best traditions of the race. The unanimity of sentiment 
displayed by them was not a result of hysteria, nor any sort of psychological 
spasm. It may or may not have been warranted by the facts, but it could 
only have come from an outraged sense of justice and a deep-seated dis- 
trust of the man in authority. A censored student organ, half a dozen 
students dismissed for apparently insufficient causes, ai-bitrary refusal of 
reasonable requests from the student body and such may sound like small 
grievances to the outside world, but they mean much to the student still 
in the first flush of youthful enthusiasm. 

"There is room for two opinions as to whether the cadets took the best 
and wisest means of righting these wrongs, but there can be no doubt that 
they showed unflinching courage and splendid discipline in carrying on the 
contest of wills with the President, after once selecting a method. Arrayed 
against them were an infuriated and humiliated President, an excited 
and uninformed Board of Directors, timid alumni, frightened for the future 
of the institution, and parents who did not understand. There is so little 
sympathy betwen most boys and most men, even between parents and chil- 
dren — so much reticence on the part of the one; arbitrary disinclination to 
weigh apparently small matters, on the part of the other — that questions 
such as this are never fully vmderstood. With quiet manliness, determined 
but not aggressive, they stood together for what they deemed to be their 
rights, and yielded without sacrifice of honor when further resistance 
would have meant injury to their institution. 

"Technically, the President has won his fight and his administration 
has been vindicated. But practically and substantially the students have 
been successful. For the future, the President's administration must be 
such as to win the respect and confidence of the students or else his use- 
fulness is gone and his resignation will be in order. 

"The Texan would not be misunderstood as passing upon the merits of 
the controversy between the President and the students. Of these we know 
nothing. We know neither the President nor any considerable number of 
the cadets, and we are not informed, aside from the press reports and the 
statement of the Board of Directors, of the nature of the trouble between 
them. But we are intimately associated with just another such body of 
students, and we know thoroughly their habits of thought, their sense of 
justice and injustice, their ideas of right and wrohg. We know that they 
have, collectively and individually, a very acute sense of the eternal fitness 
of things; that they admire, respect and esteem, and are easily led by, the 
man in authority who is big enough for his position. And we know that 
when five hundred such representatives of Texas manhood, with gentlemanly 
birth and college training, stack arms and march intendedly forever from 
a theretofore loyally supported institution rather than endure the even 
imagined tyranny of a man who ruled them as a commander-in-chief, for 
from one to three years, there is something radically wrong somewhere. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 63 

And, place the blame where the Board of Directors please, the man who, 
under such circumstances, has not one loyal friend among five hundred 
students is not altogether blameless. 

"Throughout the difficulties of the past two weeks the A. & M. cadets 
have borne themselves as become gentlemen and Texans, and we never 
admired nor respected them so much as now. The best wishes of the stu- 
dents of the University of Texas were with them throughout the contest, 
and now that it is over, we believe that they have achieved results both for 
their own institution and for ours, greater than they know. If they have 
hastened by a single day the time when the regents and directors of our 
educational institutions will be chosen solely with a view to the knowledge 
of and interest in these institutions, they have not struck in vain." 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE STUDENTS RETURN. 

"That the blood of the College be not on their hands, they returned." 

In accordance with the telegrams sent out by the President of the Board 
of Directors, school was reopened Monday, February 17th, and students were 
reinstated by Dean Puryear by answering in the affirmative, "Do you prom- 
ise to support the constituted authorities of this College and to support 
good order and discipline so long as you are a cadet." 

The Seniors were not required to take the pledge, since they were at 
classes pending the investigation, on the day the suspension order was 
issued. 

Not more than thirty cadets reported to classes Monday as over half 
of the Seniors were away on furloughs or on the list of the ones awaiting 
developments, and the under-classmen had to be reinstated before attending 
classes. Fifty-six were reinstated the first day, being the ones who had 
not left the grounds. Only thirteen returned that day. 

The students spent most of the time writing their intimate friends to 
return, as it was their desire to have every one back since any had returned. 

Jess Dale and Burt Neale, two Seniors, had individually made pledges 
with the under-classmen, sent out the following letter to every student 
that had left College, in hopes of more effectually complying with the 
Alumni request that all return and submit to authority and discipline: 

"Dear Friend: In the light of recent events, and after careful considera- 
tion, we have decided to write you this letter, thinking it might influence 
you to take another view of the situation and return to College. 

"We can see by the recent turn of affairs that the cause for which we 
struck is lost, as duty will be resumed Monday and practically all classes 
will be represented. 

"We have remained here since the departure of the students and have 
been in close touch with the situation, and we now see that it is up to us to 
make the best of a bad move. 

"We are going to ask you to meet with us not later than Friday to 
reconsider the question. We wish to state that we still stand by our 
pledges to you, and if your class does not return to duty we are honor 
bound obliged to resign. We will remain in Bryan pending your decision. 

"Hoping you see fit to meet with us, we remain, very sincerely, 

"JESS DALE. 
"BURT NEALE." 

For the next few days students continued to straggle in, there being from 
one to a dozen on each train. They would reinstate and then report to 
classes. The students would meet all the trains to greet the boys' return, 
and each return would bring a thrill of joy to ones already on the grounds. 
Days and days passed and no Juniors returned and the question was on 
every lip, "Would there be a Junior Class." Special efforts were put on 



64 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

foot in addition to Dale and Neale's letter. At San Antonio they realized 
that the Juniors were the key to the situation and since they were all 
pledged not to return it would be necessary to have a meeting and revoke 
the pledge, therefore the following telegram was sent by Dr. L. L. Shrop- 
shire to the president of the Junior Class: 

"February 16, 1908. 

"At a meeting here today of citizens and parents of all San Antonio 
members of your class and of the College, it was unanimously voted that 
the grievances of the students should be given a fuller and a fairer hear- 
ing than has heretofore been had, but that this is impossible of accomplish- 
ment until after the classes have returned to the College. And we there- 
fore request you to call a meeting of your class at College Station for 
Thursday, February 20th, for the purposes of further consideration of the 
rights of the students and the preservation of the institution. If this 
meeting be called we pledge the attendance of the San Antonio students 
and also pledge our united efforts for a fuller investigation of your griev- 
ances. We have requested other communities to take similar action. An- 
swer by wire. DR. L. L. SHROPSHIRE, Chairman. 

"San Antonio, Texas." 

C. W. Leggett, of .Toplin, Mo., was president of the class, and he, being so 
far away he turned the matter over to W. H. Furneaux, of Dallas, the 
vice-president of the class. Mr. Furneaux in reply to this and other simi- 
lar telegrams declined to call a meeting of the class for the purpose of 
considering to revoke the pledge not to re-enter, saying that it would 
be costly and that nothing satisfactory could be accomplished unless a very 
full attendance was obtained, which he did not believe possible. 

President F. M. Law, of the Alumni, overcame these difficulties by taking 
a vote of the Juniors by wire, as to whether or not each one was willing to 
accept the Alumni proposition. This was February 18th, and already Mr. 
Law had received over fifty favorable replies and but four unfavorable ones 
from Freshmen and Sophomores in regard to the letter prepared at the 
College mass meeting the previous Saturday night. 

The Executive Committee had approved Law's course and there were 
evidences that made it certain the whole association would approve at 
an early date. 

Under these favorable conditions a meeting was held at College, February 
21st, representing in person and by telegram forty-four Juniors. Thirty-seven 
voted to accept the offer of Mr. Law and seven voted against. There being 
but sixty-five Juniors, a majority had agreed to return. A similar meeting 
of the Sophomore and Freshman classes failed to represent a maiority of 
their classes, but since each of these classes had pledged to stand by the 
Juniors, the individuals of these classes considered the action of the Junior 
Class as binding on them also, and they sent out a statement to this effect 
to their absent classmates. 

AMONG THE EX-STUDENTS. 

In the meanwhile interesting and important happenings were going on 
all over the state. The Alumni, ex-students, parents, and in fact, nearly 
every one, regardless of whom their sympathies were Math, were earnestly 
beseeching and even begging the boys to return, and allow the College to 
continue. 

At places where there were a number of students, they found them the 
more determined not to return, in proportion to their numbers, and every- 
where the Juniors refused to budge an inch. 

On the 17th, the students of San Antonio, thirty in number, absolutely 
refused to return, and preceded to hunt work when given the option. At 
Temple and Dallas a like course was followed. At Beaumont, Brenham, 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 65 

Palestine, and many other places, the patrons and old students openly en- 
dorsed the cause of the boys, but did not approve of the method of the 
students. 

It was generally understood that if the whole Alumni Association would 
officially endorse the actions and pledges of the President of the Associa- 
tion and of the Houston A. & M. Club, the students would practically all 
heed the call and return. 

The Dallas A. & M. Club was the first to take up the matter which they 
did by adopting and sending out the following unanimous resolutions: 

"Dallas, Texas, Februarj 18. 

"Whereas, We, the Agricultural and Mechanical Club of Dalla?, resent 
the deplorable condition of affairs now existing at the Agricultural and 
Mechanical College of Texas; and 

"Whereas, We recognize the necessity for immediate action by the 
Alumni and ex-students at this critical time; and 

"Whereas, In the light of all information available to us, we do not 
condemn the students for their action; and 

"Whereas, We understand their action to be a charge by the entire stu- 
dent body against President Harrington of unfitness for the high position 
he now occupies; therefore be it 

"Resolved, That this club take action at once to secure a meeting of the 
Alumni Association at the earliest possible date with a view of looking 
further into the conditions and events giving rise to the present unfortunate 
state of affairs in order that the best interests of the institution be pre- 
served. 

"A committee was appointed composed of A. S. Adams, J. L. Furneaux and 
H. Woodall to carry out the purpose of the above rtsolutious. ' 

The Dallas Club also communicated with various clubs of the state by 
long distance telephone. The proposition was approved by all and accord- 
ingly the following communication covering the grovind was sent to all the 
clubs: 

"Dallas, Texas, February 20th. 

"We are enclosing herewith a copy of resolutions passed by the Dallas 
A. and M. Club, and also wish to say that we have attempted to comply with 
the instructions given us, and have been in communication with th^ other 
clubs over the state, and in conjunction with them have arranged for a 
meeting of all A. & M. clubs of Texas in the city of Houston, Saturday 
morning, February 22nd. We have also requested the Executive Committee 
of the Alumni Association to call a meeting at the same place and date. 

"By investigation we find that the etudents are not at all satisfied 
with the investigation as held by the Board of Directors, and that the 
majority of them have refused so far to return to the institution and allow 
the Alumni to shoulder their troubles for them, and they, the students, 
are anxious for the Alumni, in convention, to agree to take up all further 
investigations, and we believe that if these meetings are held in Houston, 
and the associations vote to do all they can to settle this matter, that the 
students can be persuaded to return to the institution on the Monday fol- 
lowing this meeting. 

"We desire to appeal to your love for the institution, and to you as a 
citizen of this state, to preserve the institution for the education of our 
Texas boys, and your presence at this meeting is most earnestly requested. 

This letter is signed by A. S. Adams, J. L. Furneaux and H. Woodall, 
committee for the Dallas A. & M. College Club." 

In response to this President James Cravens of the Houston Club issued 
the following call to his club: 



66 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"To the Members of the Harris County Agricultural and Mechanical Club: 
"Gentlemen: Upon request of the Agricultural and Mechanical Clubs 
of Palestine, Dallas and Temple, we have invited the delegates from the 
various clubs of the State of Texas to assemble in Houston at the Rice 
Hotel on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock, February 22, 1908, for the pur- 
pose of discussing matters affecting the interests of the College. 

"We have secured the rooms of the Houston Business League for the 
meeting at 10 o'clock, and you are especially urged to be at the Rice Hotel 
as early as possible on Saturday morning to assist in entertaining the 
delegates. Yours very truly, 

"JAMES CRAVENS, President. 
"W. J. WALDEN, Secretary." 

THE HOUSTON MEETING. 

The call for the meeting of the old students of the College at Houston, 
February 22nd, was attended by seventy delegates from all parts of the 
State where there are any considerable number of old A. & M. men. The 
intensest interest possessed these former college men, some of whom have 
grown gray in the business and professional world, but whose devotion and 
loyalty to their alma mater is yet so strong a cord that it can pull them 
away from busy office and counting room to spend a day in considering 
the things that seem to them to threaten the best interests of the old College. 

The meeting was called to order at 10 o'clock in the Business League 
rooms. John Q. Tabor was selected as chairman and C. Kavanaugh, a 
striking student, as secretary. 

Mayor Rice was the first speaker. He talked mostly of the importance 
of the College and the thoroughness of the training of the men the College 
turns out. 

After a few talks on the general situation it was decided that the meeting 
should be made an executive one. 

Very soon it was evident that the meeting was largely anti-Harrington. 
E. J. Smith, of Denison, was the first to offer a plan by which there might 
be a settlement. 

Mr. Smith is an Alumnus of the College, has a son enrolled in the Col- 
lege this year, whom he persuaded to return to classes after the boy had 
gone on strike. He was called for early in the morning's session and ad- 
dressed the body. 

"There is open rebellion at the Agricultural and Mechanical College 
of Texas," said Mr. Smith. "This is a fact. And we know also that the 
Board of Directors must recognize the constituted authorities and not 
encourage open rebellion — we realize that. 

"Now, I am a friend of Prof. Harrigton. He came into the College just 
before I graduated, and I was under him as a student, he as a professor. 
I have nothing against him in this world, but whenever four hundred or 
five hundred Texas boys, uninfluenced by politics, or by anything else, 
reach the same conclusion, and that conclusion is as it is in this case, I 
say something must be radically wrong. (Applause). 

"If he is right, and I am not undertaking to say that he is not, he has 
not the boys' sympathies. I have talked this matter over with many of the 
College men, and I find but one mind — that Harrington's days are ended 
so far as his connection with the presidency of the Texas Agriciiltural and 
Mechanical College is concerned. (Applause). 

"He has let the situation get away from him, and my feeling is that Dr. 
Harrington ought to tender his resignation. With that belief, then, what 
are we going to do about it? 

"I have been busy myself these past few days, discussing this matter 
and getting all possible information on the subject and trying to agree in 
my own mind what course ought to be pursued. I have reached the con- 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



67 



elusion that no resolutions ought to be passed by this body. A committee 
ought to be appointed to carry the matter immediately before the Board 
of Directors and bear to them the sense of this meeting. 

"I move you, therefore, that it be the sense of this meeting that Dr. 
Harrington's further occupancy of the presidency of the Texas Agricultural 
and Mechanical College is not to the best interests of the institution; and 
that a committee of three be elected or appointed to wait upon the Board 
at it next meeting; and that Dr. Harrington's resignation be demanded." 
(Applause). 

Althought Mr. Smith was vigorously applauded, there was opposition to 
such a hasty measure, both by Mr. Harrington's friends and those that op- 
posed him. 




PROF. A. MITCHELL 

Secretary-Treasurer of the 
Alumni Association. 




F. M. LAW, President Alumni. 



One man in reply said, "I don't believe Dr. Harrington will stay there. 
I believe he is man enough to surrender to the Board of Directors, but my 
friends, do you want to turn him out with this hanging over his head? I 
believe his own manhood will dictate resignation, because he doesn't like 
this any more than the boys do." 

Another was opposed because he did not believe the whole facts had 
come out yet, since the investigation was executive, and he wanted the 
facts before such a resolution was proposed. 

Cruse, arose and in a brief speech said, "As sure as I stand here the 
movement was headed by others than students." 

Before the opposition the motion was withdrawn. As a substitute for the 
motion offered by Mr. Smith it was moved that the body appoint a com- 
mittee to memoralize the boys to return to College; and then to take up the 
matter of having a complete investigation of the whole trouble, bringing 
this to the attention of the Directors. Ultimately this character of action 
was taken, as indicated in the statements authorized by the secretary at 
the close of the meeting, though the decision and whatever other decisions 
were made arrived at by long and tedious process. 

President F. M. Law, of Bryan, the President of the State Alumni Asso- 
ciation, was called on during the forenoon discussion and was roundly 
cheered for his remarks. He paid tribute to the Houston committee of six 
in his narration of the efforts that have been made to restore peace at 
the College. "I bear testimony," he said, "to the very faithful and unselfish 
and unstinted work of that self-constituted committee. They did much to 



68 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

save the situation and the abundant thanks of this association are due 
them." President Law has himself been one of the most earnest of the 
worlvers for the College cause, and he was applauded many times. 

Too Much Politics. 

One of the others who spoke urged as the paramount consideration the 
return of the students to College. And there were many hearty amens, and 
the same sentiment was expressed by many others. "We must get the 
boys back there at any cost," he said. "There is too much politics in this 
thing. The Board of Directors of the State Agricultural and Mechanical 
College are politicians to a man. (Applause*. 

"The first thing we've got to do, I repeat, is to get the students back. 
And to get them back we have got to waive all resolutions for the present 
and come squarely to the issue. We want to tell the boys first that we will 
take up their fight. The Board has always looked on the boys as mere 
lads and treated them as such. In this investigation proceedings, the first 
thing the boys asked for was an attorney, because they knew that they 
would be rattled to a frazzle when they came before that body of older 
heads, and they wanted some expert and experienced counsel. What did 
the Directors answer to this request? 'No, sirs' they said, 'you can not 
be represented by an attorney.' It was wrong — the Board ought to have 
allowed anything. 

"It was not a fair investigation. We want to get at that proposition 
and investigate it from bottom to top. I don't know anything about politics, 
but I am a business man and am in favor of business methods." 

It was not until the afternoon session convened that the meeting got 
down to business. Before the adjournment of the session at noon a com- 
mittee of one from each club represented at the meeting was appointed to 
draft resolutions setting forth the position of the gathering and to submit 
them for consideration in the afternoon. The personnel of the committee 
is found below. It returned with three resolutions, two of which were made 
public. One was to the eifect that petitions should be circulated by students 
and ex-students, asking the Board to convene for another investigation of 
the trouble and the other pleaded for the students to return to school. 
Both were adopted. The body prepared for representation at such an in- 
vestigation, should the Board of Directors see fit to order it. They selected 
the following to represent the ex-students, should another investigation be 
held: H. L. Wright. Palestine; F. A. Reichardt, Houston; C. C. Todd, San 
Antonio; E. J. Smith, Denison, and J. D. Cravens, Houston. 

Committee on Resolutions. 

J. Q. Tabor, Houston, Chairman; C. C. Todd, San Antonio, Secretary; 
F. K. McGinnis, Terrell; T. W. Griffith, Jr., Dallas; H. J. Miller, Bellville; 
L. D. Amsler, Hempstead; E. J. Smith, Denison; F. M. Law, Bryan; J. W. 
Ragsdale, Hallettsville; H. F. Matthews, Beaumont; T. B. West. Columbus; 
H. L. Wright, Palestine; J. C. Smith, Chappell Hill; R. C. Watkins, Houston. 

The two petitions made public read as follows: 

"Houston, Texas, February 22nd. 
"To the Cadets of Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas: 

"At a well attended meeting of ex-cadets and Alumni of the A. & M. 
College of Texas, held at Houston today, the deplorable condition at the Col- 
lege has received careful consideration and we are using our best endeavors 
to preserve the College and enable you to continue your work as students 
with credit to yourselves. We feel you can now return to the College 
without violation of any pledge you may have taken. 

"Therefore we ask your co-operation by prompt return to your duties. 

"Signed by the above committee." 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 69 

Petitions to Directors. 

The following is the form for petition authorized by the meeting, copies 
of which were made by the Executive Board and sent to each Agricultural 
and Mechanical Club in the State and in every city and town where there 
are Alumni or former students of the College: 
"To the Board of Directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of 

Texas: 

"Gentlemen: We, the A. & M. Club of , together with the 

prominent citizens and friends of the institution in our community whose 
names appear below, desire to call your attention and consideration to the 
following petition, towit: 

"Whereas, There has arisen an unfortunate disagreement between the 
management, the teachers and the student body and that said misunder- 
standing, if allowed to continue in its present condition, is certain to do the 
College incalculable harm; and, 

"Whereas, The means taken by the student body to correct the said mis- 
understanding may be hasty and unwise, and calculated to place your 
honorable body in the embarrassing position of dealing with a rebellious 
faction, and might have prevented an untrammeled action by your body; 
and, 

"Whereas, The student body has signified that it is not satisfied with 
the outcome of the hasty investigation given, and the many Alumni of the 
institution, the much larger numbers of ex-students, the parents of the 
cadets and the friends of the College throughout the entire State feel that 
the condition should be more thoroughly investigated and the public allowed 
to fully hear and know the results of said investigation; and, 

"Whereas, A large majority of the student body has unconditionally 
returned to the institution, leaving your body free to act, without fear or 
favor; therefore 

"We petition your honorable body to name a time and place in the near 
future where your body will conduct a full, open and fair investigation, 
where the public may attend and prefer any charges that any individual 
may see fit to prefer, and that said time and place of meeting, be published 
in all the leading daily papers in order that the public at large may 
satisfy itself that existing conditions are not what they seem or that steps 
may be taken to remedy such evils. 

"Respectfully submitted." 

The third document consisted of a number of resolutions, to the Board 
of Directors. They were not made public, but with the following introduc- 
tory by the secretary they were mailed to the Board. It read: 

"Houston, Texas, February 22nd. 
"To the Members of the Board of Directors, College Station, Texas: 

Gentlemen: At a meeting of the Alumni and ex-students of the Agri- 
cultural and Mechanical College of Texas the inclosed resolutions were 
unanimously adopted, and as secretary of the meeting I was requested to 
mail each of you a copy of said resolutions. 

"At said meeting a committee of five was appointed as an advisory com- 
mittee to confer with you 'and sit with you as spectators at and during 
said investigation. I am also requested to ask that you notify Mr. James 
G. Cravens, president of said committee, the time and place of said investi- 
gation if same is granted, or any other communication your body may 
desire to transmit. Very respectfully, 

"C. C. TODD, Secretary." 

Resolutions adopted by Alumni and ex-students in session at Houston, 
Texas, February 22, 1908: 

"1. That this organization deplores the existing condition of affairs at 
the Agricultural and Mechanical College. 



70 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"2. That we believe that the Board of Directors should not support the 
demands of the corps of cadets as presented. 

"3. That we believe the withdrawal of the student body under the 
circumstances is calculated to harm only the institution. 

"4. That by reason of the third resolution we urge all students of the 
institution to reconsider their action and return to the school in order that 
conditions may be more fully investigated without embarrassment to the 
Board of Directors. 

"5. We believe that the unsettled state of affairs prove conclusively that 
something is radically wrong. And that if it had been otherwise this trouble 
would have been averted before it reached its present stage. 

"Wherefore be it resolved, That we ask friends of the College throughout 
the State of Texas to join with us in a petition to the Board of Directors 
of the College to reopen the investigation and have a public investigation 
of the condition of affairs of the present trouble in order that the existing 
evils may be eradicated from the institution, and that the said investigation 
be conducted as early as practicable for the good of the institution, and 
that these resolutions be presented to the Board of Directors for their 
consideration at their next meeting." 

To this the Board replied during the first part of March. But as it 
only figured when the Board met March 28, it will in that connection be re- 
ferred to. 

As it may be interesting to know just who were at the Houston meeting 
I will give the names: 

Those in Attendance. 

S. F. McConico, Houston; Stephen McCormick, Houston; W. L. Rogers, 
Houston; G. C. Street, Jr., Houston; Dr. J. Allen Kyle, Houston; E. C. 
Schuhmacher, La Grange; Flint McGregor, Houston; Gale Oliver, Houston; 
H. Mitchell Harvin, Houston; Kent E. Gardien, Houston; E. W. Hutchinson, 
Houston; Dave Rice, Houston; L. H. Brown, Houston; Dr. W. R. Eckhart, 
Houston; J. E. Pierrie, Houston; J. W. Benjamin, Victoria; Judge Rebel 
Robinson, Houston; W. S. Tobey.i Houston; R. Eberspacher, Houston; 
A. J. Neff, College; L. Lenz, Houston- Dr. F. R. Ross, Houston; C. W. 
Robinson, Houston; C. C. Highsmith, Houston; A. T. Potts, College; John 
S. Radford. Houston; H. L. Wright, Palestine; O. H. Eichblatt, Houston; 
H. F. Matthews. Beaumont; B. J. Smith, Denison; L. D. Amsler, Hemp- 
stead; J. S. Smith, Chappell Hill; F. M. Law, Bryan; J. W. Howell, Bryan; 
G. R. Abney, College; R. C. Watkins, Houston; J. Q. Tabor, Houston; 
C. C. Todd, San Antonio; H. J. Miller, Bellville; T. B. West, Columbus; 
H. L. Hutson, Houston; J. M. Kleinsmith, Houston; H. E. Elrod, Houston; 
R. Q. Brandt. Lufkin; Sam H. Dixon, Jr., Houston; J. F. Edwards, Dallas; 
A. McFarland, Galveston; James Cravens, Houston; H. M. Rollins, Hous- 
ton; Dr. J. L. Short, Houston; C. L. Bernay. Houston; C. A. Ziegenthal, 
Houston; A. S. Adams, Dallas; J. W. Ragsdale, Hallettsville; T. W. Grif- 
fiths, Jr.. Dallas; F. K. McGinnis, Terrell; J. T. Cruse, College Station; 
W. J. W&lden. Houston; S. A. Minear, San Antonio; G. R. Cottingham, Hous- 
ton; R. H. Glass, Franklin; A. H. White, Houston; George McCormick, 
Houston; F. A. Reichardt, Houston; H. F. Jonas, Houston; P. S. Tilson, 
Houston; Lomar Acker, Houston; W. S. Massenberg, Galveston. 

THE RESULTS OF THE HOUSTON MEETING. 

Up to the time of the Houston meeting, on the great National holiday, 
to back up President Law and the Houston Club committee, one hundred and 
forty-seven students had taken the pledge. Of these, a majority were decid- 
edly dissatisfied; and large numbers were resigning just as soon as they 
were in good standing with the College, until this was stopped by adding 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 71 

to the official pledge of the Board a promise not to resign. In spite of the 
favorable vote of the Juniors, up to Monday, February 24th, only nineteen 
Juniors had reported for duty. 

Now quite a stimulus was given by the results of the 22nd. Forty-five 
students were reinstated Monday and letters and telegrams received by the 
students and others represented that by the end of the month there would 
be four hundred students on the grounds. Although this did not account 
for one hundred and sixty, or thirty-five per cent, of the ones that had left, 
the students felt that they could now remain and feel that they were doing 
right. Immediately resignations stopped and the boys settled down to work 
for the winter term examinations which were to begin the middle of March, 
but were put off a week by Faculty action. 

Students continued to return up to about the 10th of March, at which 
time almost the four hundred mark was reached. Had it not been for so 
many of the very best men of the College not returning the cadets would 
have been satisfied with the number, as it relieved the crowded barracks 
to about their capacity. Forty-one Juniors of the original sixty-four re- 
turned. 

In reply to a statement made at Houston the Senior Class made the 
following reply: 

"In regard to the first petition gotten out by the student body, the fol- 
lowing statement was published as coming from one of the delegates to the 
Alumni convention which met in Houston Saturday. This delegate said: 

" 'As sure as I am standing here, the movement was headed by others 
than the students.' 

"Since statements have heretofore been made from time to time and 
we have sat still and borne them without complaint, we can not consent 
for the public to be misled any longer wUh the idea that we are a set of 
dupes to be led around by the nose when we have no grievances. 

"The Senior Class in turning our case over to the Alumni intended to 
make no further public statement, but it seems that our silence has left 
an opening for further attacks upon us and untrue statements about us. 

"Such statements as the one quoted above reflects not only on the Senior 
Class, but also does a great injustice to the innocent persons vaguely re- 
ferred to in the statement. The above quotation from the Houston orator 
is a sample of what we have heretofore borne in silence. We stamp this 
statement as false, and we declare that they are made only by persons 
who are absolutely unacquainted with existing facts. 

"SENIOR CLASS. 

"T. J. BEESLEY, 

"L. N. HUFF, 

"CHAS. FLEMING, 

Committee." 

CHAPTER V. 

A TROUBLED PERIOD. 

Events Between the Return of the Students and Commencement. 

"The love of liberty burns ever in the human breast." 
On the surface everything seemed smooth for a time; although in con- 
versation and correspondence the trouble was always a factor. One could 
not leave the campus but he must discuss the situation with the inquiring 
persons they were sure to meet. 

As March 2Sth approached there was a great deal of talk outside of the 
student body for fear that there would be some kind of an outbreak at the 
cornerstone laying of Goodwin Hall, because Dr. Harrington had been 
placed on the program for a speech of welcome. But among the students 



72 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

there was no such intentions, they fully understood that it was right and 
necessary that the President of the institution officiate, and as such they 
made no protest to prevent or break up the ceremony, as so many unreliable 
outside parties reported they would do. 

It is of course true that after Dr. Harrington made a most eloquent 
speech of welcome — entwined with which was no end of praise for the 
gentlemanly student body — there was absolue silence on the part of the 
students. A few handclaps from the rostrum, but a faint echo was the 
reply from the audience. But when the next speaker arose, his iirst words 
(and even for a whole minute) were drowned in the outburst of applause. 
The sentiments of the students had been shown, and in such a manner that 
it was above reproach, and many were the sighs of relief of the ones who 
were afraid there would be something done that would reflect on the gentle- 
manly conduct of the students. 

The Board met now and for the first time considered again the diffi- 
culties at College. 

An annual appropriation of $1,500 was made for the employment of 
a Y. M. C. A. secretary. 

The Senior Class committee went before the Board to complain that the 
protection to witnesses during the trial had not been carried out in the 
case of C. M. Evans, a Senior, an assistant instructor of Animal Husbandry. 

The committee charged that in spite of the fact that he had verbal 
contracts to act as student assistant the entire year for a stipulated sum, 
with both Dr. Harrington and Mr. Burns, that Dr. Harrington informally 
brought the contract to an end through malice, because of the part Mr. 
Evans had in the investigation. It was shown that Mr. Evans' work was 
very satisfactory and that there was nothing in Dr. Harrington's plea for 
cutting down the expenses of the Animal Husbandry Department, as the 
teaching force was paid $1,000 less than the previous year, yet there had 
been a very large increase in the number of students in the department. 

The Board sustained the charge and Evans was given back his position. 

The committee representing the Alumni, consisting of James Cravens, 
E. J. Smith, H. L. Wright, together with F. M. Law, appeared before the 
Board, to get them to reconsider their answer to the actions of the Hous- 
ton Alumni and ex-students' meeting. The reply was as follows: 

"Dear Sir: We have before us the resolutions passed by your body in 
the city of Houston on February 22, 1908, those in executive session as well 
as those given to the press, all relating to existing conditions at the Agri- 
cultural and Mechanical College. 

"From these resolutions, taken together, we conclude that it is your wish 
and purpose: 

"(1) To circulate a petition extensively throughout the State of Texas, 
for signatures, requesting the Board of Directors of the A. & M. College to 
reopen the matter of investigating the rumors and charges that have been 
circulated and made against the President of the College; and, 

"(2) That the Board of Directors designate a time and place when a 
public investigation of any and all charges by any person can be heard. 

"Replying thereto you are respectfully advised that about one month 
ago our attention was called to the circulation of rumors which indicated 
such a state of affairs as merits consideration at the hands of the Board. 
Prompt action was taken, the result of which was given to the press and a 
written copy thereof mailed to each patron of the school, with all of which 
you are familiar. As a Board and as individuals we have given about thirty 
days of our time to a diligent, careful, painstaking investigation into con- 
ditions which prevailed at this institution, and we feel that we are reason- 
ably familiar with the situation in all its bearing. Certainly do we feel that 
we are more familiar with conditions than citizens of the State on the out- 
side who have not given the matter the time and attention that this board 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 73 

has. As a Board we remained on the ground a number of days inviting 
with earnestness, almost to the extent of pleading with all parties at this 
'College to make known any and all grievances they might have. The public 
has been advised as to the result. If this investigation was not fair and 
complete we are not capable of giving one that would be. There were 
three practicing lawyers on the Board who were present. Every member 
of the Board present is the head of a family and most of them have children 
older than the complainants before the Board. Surely it can not be neces- 
sary for us to assure the people of Texas that we would not see an injustice 
done to any young man, or that we would be a party to an investigation 
that we did not believe was fair and honorable. We waited two full days 
for the charges to be submitted and then permitted the young men to offer 
just such evidence and all the evidence which they desired to submit. When 
the investigation was ended, the class leader expressed perfect satisfaction 
at the treatment received at the hands of the Board and thanked them for 
the courtesies extended. 

"Under all the circumstances we can not persuade ourselves that in- 
justice has been done to any one, or that the interest and welfare of the 
College demand a further investigation at our hands. Of course if abuses 
should arise in the future we stand ready at all times to give such matter 
prompt attention. 

"Neither are we able to understand what beneficial results you gentlemen 
expect will follow the kind of an investigation indicated. Such an investiga- 
tion within and of itself would do the College incalculable harm regardless 
of results. If, however, we thought that justice demanded it. we would hold 
the investigation. 

"In this controversy, as we view it, men have largely ceased to be an 
issue. The question involves a principle that rises higher than a per- 
sonality — a principle that lies at the base of well-regulated civilization. 
To yield the principle contended for by the. Board — the supremacy of law 
and order — would be the equivalent to an indorsement of a principle which 
destroys organized society and undermines governments. We will not do 
it. We can not do it. If the corps of cadets can force the retirement of a 
President over the judgment of the Board of Directors, they could with 
equal propriety force the selection of his successor. If this principle is to 
obtain, the minors of the State could declare their independence, go on a 
strike and demand that the Legislature repeal all laws establishing parental 
control. 

"You gentlemen have been the beneficiaries of the State's bounty at this 
institution and above all classes of citizens, as it appears to us, should stand 
to a man in upholding the Board in its efforts to grapple with a trying situ- 
ation when every force in the state should be exerted to restore peace and 
harmony at the institution. 

"In conclusion the members of the board desire to extend to the Alumni 
sincere thanks for their unselfish zeal and labor in behalf of the College 
and their efforts to induce the student body to return to duty and remain 
loyal to the College. Yours very truly, 

"K. K. LEGGETT, 
"D. L. McINNIS, 
"WALTON PETEET, 
"R. T. MILNER, 
"T. D. ROWELL, 
"W. P. SEBASTIAN, 
"A. HAIDUSEK, 
"Board of Directors of the A. & M. College of Texas." 

At first the Board refused to reconsider the answer and even made the 
refusal to a reopening of the trouble stronger. But finally they informally 




Tom BEAbLEY 



SKEAR.ER. 



OSCAR E1XI5 



The Student Investigation Committee. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 75 

notified the committee that on June the 8th the Board would be in session 
and then would take up any charges they wished to make against President 
Harrington, and that they would at that time consider a reopening of the 
investigation. . 

That night the Senior Class was informed of the action of the Board in 
regard to the hearing. Also of the opinion of the Alumni committee that the 
Senior Class should decide on a method by which they could best render 
assistance to the Alumni committee. After discussion it was decided that 
an Investigation committee of seven be appointed to work under the Alumni 
committee. The five on the Investigation of February, consisting of Messrs. 
Dale, J., Beesley, Neale, Lee and Ellis were re-appointed and the names of 
Evans and Casey made up thQ seven. 

Full authority to act for the Class was given the committee, and they 
were to report their efforts to the Alumni at the end of the next month and 
to further co-operate with them as seemed expedient. At the request of the 
Senior committee, the Junior Class elected W. H. Furneaux and Dave 
Shearer to act with them and represent the Junior Class. 

APRIL FIRST, 1908. 

As has been the custom at College, the students claimed April 1st as 
their day (as it was "All Fools' Day"). Since it was a day of fun I did not 
tax my memory with the details, and will have to depend on the Battalion 
account of the proceedings which was as follows: 

"The first of April as a holiday at College proved to be an all around 
success. There was but one or two unpleasant features to the entire day, 
while pleasant, picturesque and enjoyable features were innumerable. 

"The day dawned bright and fair; there seemed to be in the air the spirit 
of mischief which the cadets caught rapidly. There were very few 'Absent 
Reveille' reports for that day for every one wanted to see if Santa Claus 
had happened along during the night. Evidence showed that some one 
had happened along. Theory — if it wasn't Santa it was someone else. But 
everyone slept soundly. (Hyp) Deduction — It was Santy. Q. F. D. 

"There was found — but everyone knows what was found and there is 
no use telling everyone again; it might possibly become tiresome. It is a 
coincidence, however, that since that day certain boys in — Company have 
been known as 'Gravedigger,' 'Dummy Stuffer,' and 'Sign Painter.' , It is 
also strange that our 'Bull' took the precaution to enter his oflace through 
a window that morning. 

"By guard mounting time it was an assured fact that no one (except the 
pikers) would go to classes that day. Finally came call to quarters and 
Study Call. Then came release. From South End you say? Well, I de- 
clare, I thought it was from the Main Building. Of course no one was going 
to classes after release had blown. Why not? He would have been 
'rammed.' For what Wliy, for 'Reciting during Release,' of course. 

"Then came sudden and imperative orders to prepare for the Corner- 
stone Laying. 'Uniform No. Three read the command. Uniform No. Three! 
We had never heard of it. To the Red Book — 'The Cadets' Bible' — Chapter 
Twenty-three, Section Two, Article Three. 'Uniform No. Three shall con- 
sist of a night shirt (or pajamas) with such abbreviations or additions as 
the cadet shall see fit.' Ah! our road was clear at last. By nine o'clock 
we were prepared — in the worst, for the worst, and — looked the worst. At 
nine o'clock, sharp, the battalion was called to arms in front of the Main 
Building. From here it was marched over to the cornerstone laying of 
'Harry Hall' 190 oo , the band as usual, preceding the procession. 

"The A. H. O. H. R. now took charge of the program. 'Tramp' Dale, 
Master of Ceremonies, assisted unceasingly by a large staff, conspicuous 
among whom were. Brigadier General Faust, Hon. 'Merry Widow' Telfair, 



76 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

and the Irish twins, Brundrette and Lee conducted the signfiicant and impres- 
sive ceremonies without a hitch. After this the polished block of Texas 
pine was slammed into place. The contents were as follows: 

"One pair Pike's G. G. M. Socks; one copy Latest Tip-Top Weekly; one 
Extinguished Pedigree Cat; one Sample Sbisa's Butter (to brace the build- 
ing; one $100 bill (Dale said so); one dead soldier (Schlitz); copy of Red 
Book; two Photos (of and his able confederate). 

"Immediately after this came the triumphal procession, headed by the 
band. The points of progress were: The cornerstone, — the flag pole (from 
which floated the imperial banner of the A. H. O. H. R.) — west College 
road — The Mess Hall — The Shirley — Bat Roost, Ross, Main Building, Quality 
Row, Chapel, the Cornerstone. 

"Dress parade came next. Brigadier General Faust and Master of Cer- 
emonies Dale mounted on the world famous D — Patch, inspected the parade. 
All were reported present, except "pikers." Captain Beesley of A Co., 
Casey of B., Brundrette of C, and Sims of D., won merited applause by their 
superb generalship. 

"The band in passing in review, wandered wilfully and waywardly west- 
ward and back again. Their tracks resembled, to a great extent, the Chicken 
going home in the dark. It is reported that some members of the band 
lost various notes, chords, and keys during this parade, but it is also re- 
ported that other members of the band found and used the aforesaid notes, 
chords and keys, (out of place of course). 

"C Company won the line by an original trick, but this trick was out- 
lawed and the line was given to *A' Company on its meritorious showing. 
(Though it might have been partiality). Amid cheers, the parade was dis- 
missed. The band, as usual, received its well earned 'Three Times Three, 
Rah's. 

"After this, affairs proceeded harmoniously enough until drill time. 

"Drill 'blew' — so did the wind. Some of the boys assert their reasons 
for not attending drill was that they were afraid that the 'Bull' might April 
Fool them by dismissing them. Others reported that torpedoes had been 
scattered recklessly on the drill ground — some say that they feared that the 
chauffeurs of the Bryan Auto Club might be intoxicated and run over them. 
One group were actually afraid that some passing airship might drop some 
ballast on them. As it was everyone had an excuse. If the epidemic of 
spring fever did not rage over the entire campus allowing sick excuses the 
'Bull' would, no doubt have been swamped with 'explanations.' 

"On the whole, the progress made in establishing a traditional holiday 
on April First was entirely praiseworthy. The few unpleasant features will 
be eliminated in time; the pleasant ones multiplied indefinitely. In the 
meantime let us prepare indefatigably for next April Fools' Day, while we 
enjoy the memories of April the First, Nineteen Hundred and Eight." 

ADVERTISEMENTS. 

Lost and Found. 

"LOST — During dress parade last Wednesday four chords in C Minor. 
Please return to Herblin, Band. 

"LOST — Brindle Cat — About a week ago. When last seen was on way 
to happy hunting ground. Please return to Dr. Fountain, dead or alive. 
Reward. 

"FOR SALE — Fifteen demerits. These demerits are entirely new and 
untarnished, having been obtained April 1st, 1908. See any student." 

THE JUNIOR ARTICLE. 

Nothing really was meant by the April 1st escapade except to have a 
little fun, yet it of course reflected very plainly the real inward sentiments 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 77 

of the students; and nothing would have been thought of it had not an 
article appeared in the leading papers of the State purporting to be from 
President Harrington, in which he said "the recent turmoil at College had 
been forgotten and class work is now at its best." 

Everyone knew this was far from a true statement of the conditions, 
and of all, President Harrington after the happenings of March 28th and 
April 1st, was least justified in making such a statement. 

Although short, as will be seen, ihe way the article was received can be 
imagined by the way it was considered in the Battalion of April 22nd. Dur- 
ing the first three weeks of April the College paper had been in the hands 
of the lower classmen, and this issue was gotten out by the Junior Class. 
The objectionable article and reply reads: 

"Austin, Texas, April 3. — Dr. H. H. Harrington, President of the Agricul- 
tural and Mechanical College, was here today on department business and 
consulting with Commissioner of Agriculture Milner, who is ex-officio mem- 
ber of the Board of Directors of the College. Dr. Harrington says that the 
recent turmoil at the College has been forgotten and class work is now at 
its best. He also said that with the completion of the new $50,000 dormitory 
and other new buildings under way, the College will have lasting improve- 
ments that have been badly needed, and will mean much for the future of 
the great school." 

Reply. 

"This absurd article recently appeared in two of the most prominent 
newspapers of the State, and doubtless came before the eyes of a large por- 
tion 01 the reading public. In view of the fact that the prejudiced news- 
papers of Texas absolutely refused to print anything whatever from the pen 
of the cadets, and are ever ready to turn a deaf ear to his statements, to 
condemn his action and to praise others, we deem it our duty to the people 
at large to insert corrections in the Battalion. 

"True enough, a heavy squall has passed, but beyond the noise and a 
few hair-breadth escapes no serious damage has been done. 

"True it is we are blessed with a calm, sweet, serene and divinely beauti- 
ful the mother of a growing hope. 

"But men must awaken to the realization of the inevitable. Rumbling 
thunder on the lowering horizon presages a hurricane that gathers energy 
at every moment, and must shortly distort nature in the throes of convul- 
sion. It will deal ruin and destruction indiscriminately, and a heavy hand 
will surely fall on some. 

"There is not a cadet but who has read the article in question with well- 
founded disgust, and the wrought-up feeling and deep-seated antagonism is 
ever restless under constraint. The very absurdity and audacity of such an 
article, so wholly contrary to fact, is sufficient to arouse in the breast of 
every cadet a profound distrust for its author. 

"To think that an issue of such vital consequence to the cadet, for which 
he would sacrifice education, friendship and everything dear, is forgotten 
so soon is preposterous in the extreme. To suggest such a thing is nothing 
short of an insult and cowardly reflection on the character and parental 
rearing of every cadet. What father would not blush with shame to know 
that a son of his own flesh and blood had fallen to such a degenerate stage 
of morality and mental decrepitude as to forget so soon. 

"The people of Texas have chosen to call us the rising young manhood 
of the State, the brawn and brain destined to wield a mighty influence over 
future generations, to mold the character of grand old Texas and to make 
or unmake her as it may be. 

"Today Texas is one generation; tomorrow this has vanished and a new 
generation mans the grand old hulk. New minds guide the helm, new ideas. 



78 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



new thoughts and new vigor have revolutionized society and convention; 
the State is reborn. 

"No man has a more thorough realization of this than the Texan, and no 
one has a clearer perception of its truth. He realizes that the son is largely 
what the sire will make of him. Seeing this he has scattered splendid in- 
stitutions of training and thought over the State. In a proud moment of 
his achievement he climaxed his noble work with the Agricultural and Me- 
chanical College. 

"We love Texas, we love her people, for we are of them, and we love this 
grand old school that has weathered so many storms, that has lived through 
so many years and that has taught so mucn that will cause us to be an 
honor to her, the pride of the Texas merchant, mechanic and farmer. Our 
efforts are for her and for her people. We would save the people from send- 
ing their sons to such a place, to enter a school that is on the retrograde 
and whose power to do good to the Texas youth is diminishing under the 
present ruling. It is the boast of the cadet that everyone who comes to 
A. and M. develops into a stalwart, erect, influencing man who knows how 
to obey and how to command. 

"Did he dedicate the mighty institution to any individual or group of 
individuals? No! 





DAVE SHEARER RAYMOND HUCKABEE 

The Authors of the Junior Article, 

"Did he destine its benefits to be used by any individual or group of in- 
dividuals or its government to conform to the whims of any one individual, 
whether right or wrong? Again, no, not for an instant. His intentions 
were broad, democratic and generous, but sadly enough have been shame- 
fully abused in late years. 

"Is it reasonable to believe that the Texan can consistently condemn the 
stand of his sons in a plea for the right? No! From infancy the father 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 79 

has instilled in his son a stern spirit of patriotism and a love of freedom, 
hatred of tyranny, a sense of justice and carefully cultivated its growth 
from youth to manhood. 

"This very independent and aggressive spirit has dominated the history 
of the world for centuries, has cradled modern ideas, convention and prog- 
ress. It is an inseparable constituent of our being, our flesh and blood, a 
precious and unconscious heritage of our fathers. 

"Some called it the spirit of rebellion and revolution and they are right, 
a spirit sprung full grown into existence in 1776 and developed wonderfully 
in succeeding years. In itself it is unconquerable, the spirit that has been 
imparted. Brute force, it is true, or shrewd diplomacy may be brought to 
bear sufficiently upon it for the time being so as to overwhelm it, trample it 
under foot and crush it. Yet in the dark recesses of the soul it smoulders 
and glows more intense than ever, fed by the bitterness of gall. 

"Is this the training our fathers wish to impart to their posterity? Is 
such spirit in accord with the sentiment of our fathers? Not a bit of it. 
We all well know the indignant father at home purples with ire and swells 
with just indignation when such a cowardly insult is thrown full into his 
old face. 

"What man has not a lothsome contempt for the effeminate weakling and 
moral monstrosity who has not the force of nerve to stand up and declare 
for his rights? Who respects the miserable coward who deserts his com- 
rades at the critical moment? The question needs no reply. 

"We are not a set of headstrong, narrow-minded fanatics, as some people 
would insist, not by any means, nor do we deserve such an appellation. The 
love of justice is as strong in our hearts as in any creature, and it is justice 
we would see done. If we are in the wrong let some personage give us some 
consistent proof of our mistake, with logical reasons. Then we will hasten 
to make amends in the most repentant and apologetic manner possible and 
even feel grateful to the arbiter. 

"Otherwise the fire that smoulders in every bosom in course of time will 
gather fuel and burst forth in such a conflagration that nothing short of a 
deluge can quench it. 

"Let no man deceive himself." 

The article was highly commended and approved by the students, as one 
that expressed their full sentiments and as a just rebuke of the mis-state- 
ment of the College conditions, which was similar but not so radical as 
ones that were reported as being made by certain college professors who 
were traveling for the College among the aflaliated schools explaining the 
cause of the trouble and how it was to be settled. 

On account of the previous way in which Dr. Harrington had acted to- 
ward articles in the Battalion, that he personally disliked, it was not gen- 
erally expected that this would go unchallenged. But weeks passed and 
nothing was said. Copies of the Battalion as usual went to every member 
of the Board and Governor Campbell. The Board said nothing. Some two 
weeks later, to a committee of Seniors and Juniors Governor Campbell said 
the article was at least unwise at this time, since it would only widen the 
breach already existing between the students and president. 

Matters went on until May 21st, just one month after the publication of 
the article, when at a Board meeting in Waco, the Board gave Dr. Harring- 
ton a letter of authority to the Faculty, demanding that the authors be 
"adequately punished." He returned to College that night and to the utter 
surprise of the discipline committee, had them investigating each and every 
member of the Junior Class the next morning by 8 o'clock to find out the 
names of the writers of the objectionable article. This new activity was 
also a surprise to the students, but the committee was unable to fix the least 
responsibility on any one in particular. Direct pointed questions remained 



80 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

unanswered. And all the .Juniors said that as a body the class was respon- 
sible. "But," asked the committee, "will you personally be responsible for 
it?" With three exceptions the reply was that they would. 

On Saturday nothing was done by the discipline committee as a body, 
because Capt. Andrew Moses left for Burnet, Texas, to attend the funeral of 
his late lamented father. The other members of the committee were Pro- 
fessors Fermier and Alvord. Prof. Fermier did not meet with Alvord, but 
as Alvord was determined to find out who wrote the article, and accordingly 
sent for Cadet R. F. Miller, Jr., a member of the Battalion editorial staff 
for the Junior number. After locking the door. Prof. Alvord explained to 
Miller what a fine fellow he was and how much he was interested in his 
welfare, and so on; finally he ended by saying he thought Miller ought to 
tell him confidentially who wrote the article. This outrageous insult to an 
honorable student received a just rebuke. Prof. Alvord hastened to explain 
that his motive had been "misunderstood," and that he only wanted to 
make it certain that Miller would at the p^'oper time graduate. After try- 
ing to get Miller to consider the whole conversation confidential, the door 
was unlocked and Miller proceeded to inform his associates of what he con- 
sidered a stinging insult. 

Final examinations for the Senior Class were being held that day and 
the excitement began to run high; every student saw in it an attempt to 
break up school, or at least an attempt to make the students commit some 
act that would array public opinion against them. 

To complicate matters that evening the following communication was re- 
ceived from the Alumni Committee, saying they had been unable to get a 
new hearing. The text of the article is as follows: 
"To the Members of the Alumni and Ex-Students of the A, and M. College 

of Texas: 

"We, the undersigned members of the committee appointed by the Hous- 
ton meeting of the representatives of A. and M. College Clubs of Texas, had 
not intended to address to you any communication or report until after you 
had met at College Station for commencement. But we feel it is our duty 
at this time to make to you some report as to the progress made by us in 
endeavoring to carry out the work for which we were appointed. We also 
desire to notice some statements which are contained in a circular now be- 
ing sent out by Charles Rogan. As stated, our committee was created at 
the Houston meeting of the representatives of the A. and M. Clubs of Texas. 
The events which led up to our appointment are briefly as follows: 

"When the cadets at the College 'struck' the various college clubs over 
the State held meetings. Prior to any of these meetings a number of mem- 
be-s of the Houston Club, together with President Law, of the Alumni, upon 
their own motion and at their own expense, and with the sanction of the 
Board of Directors, went to College Station to render what services they 
could in restoring order there, and inducing the cadets to resume their 
duties. They are largely entitled to the credit of having prevented most of 
the cadets who had not already left, from going, and of inducing those re- 
maining to resume their duties and to use their influence to cause their 
fellow students to return to College. On the 22nd day of February, which 
was only a few days afterward, representatives of all the A. and M. Clubs of 
Texas met in Houston. That meeting was fully advised of the work which 
had been done by the Houston members, and was also advised that said 
members had requested the cadets to go back to work and had promised 
them that all reasonable efforts would be made by those who had been stu- 
dents of A. and M. to procure upon their own responsibility at the hands of 
the Board of Directors a full, open and complete investigation of the matters 
complained of by the student body; and that the cadets, believing that this 
promise was made in good faith, did resume work. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 81 

"The Houston meeting endorsed the action of the Houston members and 
determined to undertake to carry out the promises which they had made to 
the cadets. It was also the independent judgment of those at the Houston 
meeting that, regardless of the promise made to the cadets, such an investi- 
gation should be made. This is shown by the following part of the resolu- 
tions passed by the Houston meeting, as follows: 

" 'We believe that the unsettled state of affairs proves conclusively that 
something is radically wrong. And that if it had been otherwise, this 
trouble would have been averted before it reached its present stage. Where- 
fore be it resolved, that we ask frinds of the College throughout the State 
of Texas to join us in a petition to the Board of Directors of the College to 
re-open the investigation, and have a public investigation of the condition 
of affairs of the present trouble in order that the exisiting evils may be 
eradicated from the institution.' 

"Our committee was created and clothed with power to use all honorable 
means to procure such investigation. On account of the fact that the mem- 
bers of our committee ai'e scattered, and for other reasons, we engaged the 
services of Hon. Hatton W. Sumners of Dallas, Texas, with the express 
agreement with him and the positive injunction to him, to first ascertain 
as nearly as possible the truth with respect to the troubles at the College, 
and afterward that everything done must be done with an eye single to the 
best interests of the College. 

"Now it is charged by the signers of the Rogan circulars referred to, (we 
regret to say that Dr. Harrington, personally, solicited signatures for it), 
that they 'feel that certain members of the association and ex-students have 
gone and are now going too far in their efforts to interfere with the proper 
management of College affairs by the President and Board of Directors.' 

"In view of the fact that this charge is being made to you,* we want to 
assure you that we are only carrying out the instruction of the Houston 
meeting, and are making no 'efforts to interfere with the proper manage- 
ment of College affairs.' We feel that this charge is absolutely unwarranted. 
As you know, we have no power over the Board of Directors. We have only 
the right of petition, which we have believed is a sacred right in this coun- 
try, and the Houston meeting instructed its exercise. We have endeavored 
to carry out their instructions with as little disturbance as possible, and are 
endeavoring to keep faith with the students at A. and M. who trusted our 
members and yielded to their advice at a time when the President and Board 
of Directors had lost all control over them. In the darkest hours which 
have ever come to A. and M. College, when not only the welfare of that in- 
stitution, but the welfare of nearly six hundred boys and young men of 
Texas M-as hanging in the balance, we were giving our time and spending 
our money in an endeavor to save the situation. Nobody accused us of go- 
ing too far then. Nobody accused us of interfering then. It is only when 
we are asking for a full, open and complete investigation of the affairs of 
the College that we are charged with going too far and with interfering. 
The following statement of the Board of Directors ought to settle any ques- 
tion as to the value of the services rendered: 

" 'In conclusion, the members of the Board desire to extend to the Alumni 
sincere thanks for their unselfish zeal and labor in behalf of the College, and 
their efforts to induce the student body to return to duty and remain loyal 
to the College.' 

"The Board of Directors has reminded us that "You gentlemen have been 
beneficiaries of the State's bounty at this institution.' We confess it with 
deep gratitude to the State which has been so generous to us. We love 
every brick in the buildings of that institution; every foot of her campus is 
sacred to us. We yield to no member of the Board of Directors, not an ex- 
student, one-half the concern which we feel in our own alma mater. In 
shame and in humiliation and with a deep concern which only an ex-student 



82 HISTORY OP THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

can understand, we have witnessed the deplorable condition there. And this 
we want to say by way of parenthesis, the relation between the President 
and the student body is now as antagonistic as it has ever been, if any differ- 
ence, perhaps more fixed. In addition to the foregoing, our attorney has 
advised us that he has addressed a communication to the President of the 
Board of Directors and also one to the Governor, suggesting that an informal 
conference of the representatives of those interested in bringing about proper 
conditions at the College, might result in an agreement upon some plan for 
concerted action. No written reply has been received to either communica- 
tion. We have, however, been advised by members of the Board of Directors 
that the Board is not in favor of such a meeting. We are also advised by 
the Board of Directors that the Board is still opposed to a full, open and 
complete investigation of matters at the College, on the ground as stated by 
the Board, that 'such an investigation within and of itself, would do the Col- 
lege incalculable harm, regardless of results.' We are convinced that the 
President, for whom we understand Mr. Rogan is acting, is endeavoring 
through said circular, and possibly by other means, to place us in the atti- 
tude before you and the people of Tey.as, of interfering with the proper 
management of the College. In fact, this is the plain language of the cir- 
cular. We have become convinced that the Board of Directors are opposed 
to further effort on our part to carry out your instructions. The Board of 
Directors has absolute power in the premises. It can do as it chooses, any- 
way. What we have done, and are doing, has been and is for the sole pur- 
pose of giving aid. We would be willing to still continue our efforts towards 
procuring the character of investigation desired by you and which we be- 
lieve is also desired by the people of Texas at large; we would even endure 
the embarrassment of being charged before our fellow ex-students of going 
too far and with interfering with the College management, as unjust as we 
feel that charge to be, if by so doing we could render any good service. But 
since the Board of Directors is clothed with absolute power and has very 
clearly indicated that our efforts are distasteful to its members and can re- 
sult in nothing, we have no other alternative than to yield to the Board of 
Directors the entire responsibility of the situation; if indeed it may be con- 
ceded at this time that we have at any time had upon our shoulders any 
part of the weight of that responsibility. 

"Respectfully submitted, 

"JAMES CRAVENS. 

"H. L. WRIGHT, 

"E. J. SMITH, 

"C. C. TODD, 

"F. A. REICHARDT." 

The exact circular of Chas. Rogan referred to in the above is as follows: 

"Dear Sir: The undersigned ex-students and members of the Alumni 
Association feel that certain members of the association have gone, and are 
going, too far in their efforts to interfere with the proper management of 
College affairs by the President and members of the Board of Directors; 
that the efforts they are putting forth can result in no good whatever, and 
can only lead to confusion and embarrassment in the proper government of 
the institution. The responsibility rests upon the governor and the Board 
of Directors appointed by him, two of whom are members of this associa- 
tion, and all of whom are known to be men of conservatism, ripe in both ex- 
perience and judgment, and whose integrity and sense of justness can not be 
successfully impeached. They can not have any other purpose in view than 
to conserve the best interests of that institution. For this reason we are 
writing to the more conservative ex-students and alumni of the College to 
join us in an expression of confidence in the ability of the Board of Directors 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 83 

and President of the College to properly meet the situation. It is said by 
these alumni 'there must be something radically wrong at the institution.' 
We subscribe to this and believe the Board who have been in close touch 
with the situation from the start, are fully conversant with the facts. If 
you agree with us, we will thank you to sign the inclosed and return it in 
the stamped envelope to Charles Rogan, Austin, Texas, so the board may 
know of our confidence in them and of our interest in the welfare of the 
College." 

This was signed by James Rather, College Station; Charles Rogan, Aus- 
tin; H. P. Jordan, Waco; M. D. Tilson, Texarkana; J. W. Carson, College 
Station; John S. Radford, Houston; W. G. Morris, Hempstead; E. C. Carlyle, 
College Station; A. P. Smyth, Mart; J. T. Shindler, Yoakum; Willett Wilson, 
Port Lavaca; George McCormick, Houston; L. D. Amsler, Hempstead; W. M. 
Sleeper, Waco; E. L. Bruce, Orange; J. M. Carson, Jr., College Station; J. 
T. Cruse, College Station. 

Sunday passed and the talk was centered on the new complications of 
the trouble between the students and the President. The discipline com- 
mittee was decidedly against such a move at this time. But the President 
was determined to carry out the orders from the Board even if the parties 
referred to in the order could not be ascertained; somebody must be pun- 
ished, vengeance must be satisfied. Accordingly President Harrington called 
"a very important meeting of the Faculty" Monday evening to consider the 
report of the discipline committee, which was to the effect that the authors 
of the article could not be ascertained. 

The case of the staff was then taken up and leaving the chair Dr. Har- 
rington himself made the motion for "indefinite suspension" of the staff, 
cast his vote for it and then read the orders from the Board calling for 
"adequate punishment." The members of the Faculty were then called on 
by an infuriated President to do as he said, "their duty." The vote was 
taken, and after all, he could but get the support of nine men, while nine 
voted against the measure, but the President's vote had decided it and the 
members of the Junior staff were indefinitely suspended. The suspended 
students were: W. R. Gilbert, editor-in-chief; T. A. Van Amburgh, assist- 
ant editor; H. B. Allen, athletic editor; Roy Sigel, local editor; T. A. Mun- 
son, Y. M. C. A. editor; R. F. Miller, exchange editor; C. J. Minter, agricul- 
tural editor. 

While the Faculty meeting was in session dress parade was dismissed, 
but the boys did not go to their rooms, some asked the band to play some of 
their favorites and finally "Home, Sweet Home," which they did, as every- 
body knows the band never "piked." The applause was very loud and Capt. 
Moses came down from the Faculty and asked the students to desist, and as 
was always the case when he appealed, a ready response was given, or that 
is as soon as they had given "nine rahs" for the Commandant. 

No announcement was made that night except that Dr. Harrington would 
publish the action the next morning, but everyone instinctively felt that they 
knew what had been done. The preparations for examinations were aban- 
doned, and all conversation was about this, and the failure of the alumni to 
get any assurance that there would be a re-opening of the investigation. 

Early the next morning, (Tuesday) the students were advised of the 
action of the Faculty. Recitations for the Juniors ended abruptly and W. 
H. Furneaux, acting president of the class, called a meeting of the Juniors. 

"They were in session about thirty minutes, and John Sharp Williams, 
Jr. of Yazoo City, Miss., and D. M. Shearerof Lufkin were appointed spokes- 
men to present to President Harrington the result of their meeting, which 
was the assumption by the class as a whole and as individuals full respon- 
sibility for the article and to ask that if any member is suspended the whole 
class be suspended." 



84 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

CONFERRED WITH PRESIDENT. 

In a most orderly manner the Juniors marched from their meeting place 
to the office of Captain Moses, than whom no man is more highly regarded 
by the students. To the Commandant President Furneaux expressed a desire 
for a conference with President Harrington. Captain Moses conveyed the 
wishes of the class and returned with the statement that the students would 
be met at 10:05, ten minutes later. 

The Juniors filed into one of the class rooms of the civil engineering de- 
partment, and were later joined by Mr. Harrington and the members of the 
discipline committee. 




W. H. FURNEAUX 

Vice-President and Acting President of the Junior Class. 

"President Furneaux of the class s'tated the object of the meeting, which 
was to discuss the matter of certain members of the class being suspended. 
Cadet Williams, son of the minority leader in the National House of Repre- 
sentatives and United States Senator-elect from Mississippi, said that the 
offense consisted in simply reprinting an article that had appeared in the 
public prints and then stating that it was a mistake, without mentioning 
any names." 

"We believe that this is something that any man has a right to do," saia 
he. "If there was a mistake it should have been corrected. We wish to say 
that we as a Junior Class published that article. The editors of the paper 
did not do so, and we feel in a sense of justice to us, to yourselves and to 
all, to say that if you wish to assess any penalty that you do so equally upon 
our class and not upon the editors of the paper." • 

"This statement was greeted with applause, which was hushed by a mo- 
tion from President Harrington, who said that if he treated with the students 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 85 

at all it was to be upon a basis of discipline and order. 'If you haven't re- 
spect enough to grant that to the President and the committee we do not 
care to treat with you at all. We are not going to reach a conclusion at a 
hurrah meeting. We want a calm, deliberate view, that we may understand 
one another.' This outburst of enthusiasm was not repeated." 

"None of these editors published this article," continued Mr. Williams, 
"but every man of this class is equally responsible for it. We do not feel 
that a member of the class should be picked out and disciplined for the 
publication of this article, and we wish to ask as a personal favor to us that 
if there is any penalty assessed that it be put on us all, and that if any are 
suspended the whole Junior Class be suspended." 

Cadet Shearer was the next speaker. 

"We simply made a correction of an article, which we deemed it our duty 
to correct and to give the truth, and it is the truth." 

"If you state that the article was incorrect, you had ample time to make 
any corrections," said young Shearer, addressing President Harrington. 
"And so we made the corrections ourselves." 

"The Faculty do not assume the position that you have the right to cor- 
rect it," replied Mr. Harrington. 

Mr. Shearer: "We deemed it our duty to make the correction; we be- 
lieved it nothing but right." 

"We can not get together on that proposition," replied Mr. Harrington. 
"The Faculty has already reached the conclusion that it was not your right, 
and there is no use for arguments on that line at all." 

Continuing, Mr. Shearer said that the members of the staff were but 
mere tools, and that every one of the Juniors was equally implicated. "We 
ask that you throw the whole blame on the class, to make your verdict gen- 
eral. We believe that it is unjust to let your verdict fall upon a certain 
portion of the class when the class in general is strictly responsible. This 
is the sentiment of the class." 

Cadet Williams again took the floor. "We did not believe," he said, 
"that in correcting the article we were in any way violating the rules and 
regulations of this College. We believe that as this matter came out first 
in the papers that it was brought upon us, and that it was not of our seek- 
ing. We believe that it is the public right of the class or any man to make 
a correction of any statement that was wrong." 

President Harrington said that they should have known that he held a 
censorship over the paper by a letter Casey had published in all the daily 
papers after the strike. "If I understand it," continued he, " it is the sense 
of this class that all of you bear the burden of punishment equally. While, 
of course, I haven't the authority to treat with you upon a Faculty matter, 
and I will present your statement to the Faculty." 

"You are not willing to admit," continued Prof. Harrington, "that you 
were publishing an article that was discourteous and disrespectful to the 
President of this institution, eliminating personalities," to which Cadet 
Weinert replied that it was simply an article making a correction of an 
article that had appeaerd in several Texas papers. 

President Harrington: "Did you not recognize that you were publishing 
something that you should not have published?" 

Mr. Weinert: "No sir, we did not." 

Mr. Harrington: "That you were publishing, without reference to my 
personality, an article that was disrespectful and discourteous to the Presi- 
dent of this institution?" 

Mr. Weinert: "We were publishing an article with regard to personali- 
ties, and to correct a mis-statement. We do not feel that we have broken 
the rules of the College." 

C. P. Brannin of Dallas, acting editor-in-chief of the Battalion and also 
a member of the Junior Class made the statement that nothing had ever 



g6 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

been said to him about turning in any matter for the paper to any member 
of the Faculty, but that they had a right to see it if they asked to do so." 

WANTS NO FRICTION. 

"President Harrington said that he wanted as little friction as possible 
'I do not want to create and strife unless you gentlement yourselves want to 
create it, and even then I want to keep it out. I do not want to see the 
students in a state of insurrection.' He repeated the statement that the in- 
terview M^as incorrect and that it would have been an act of courtesy to 
have asked him on that point." 

"Other short talks were made by other cadets. Cadet Caldwell wanted to 
know why the investigation was delayed for five weeks and started at ex- 
amination time, whilst another cadet said that it looked like an attempt to 
break up the school." 

"President Harrington said that he could not say that the Faculty could 
consider the matter, but that it would be brought to their attention. In 
answer to a question he said that if the Faculty determined to take action, 
such decision would be given the class tomorrow morning, the Juniors asking 
that the matter be brought up at the meeting this afternoon." 

After supper .a meeting of the Senior Class was called to consider the 
trouble. The following resolutions explained the attitude of the class: 

"We, the Senior Class, after careful study of the article published by the 
Juniors in the Junior edition of the Battalion, our college paper, relating to 
the statement given by Dr. Harrington in Austin, unanimously indorse their 
reply to same. We deplore the existing condition at the College, and see 
nothing in the article that could warrant the suspension of the entire edi- 
torial staff of seven men. This article was written six weeks ago, and noth- 
ing was said of it at the time, but Dr. Harrington, after attending two meet- 
ings of the Board, and making numerous trips over the State, returns with 
a letter of authority from the president of the Board, and brought this mat- 
ter up, seemingly with the intention of breaking up our commencement. 

"We appeal to the manhood of every cadet to stay by this school in the 
darkest hour of our College career and deport himself in a gentlemanly man- 
ner, and make this the most successful commencement in the history of the 
Agricultural and Mechanical College. 

"Unanimously adopted. "T. J. BEASLEY, 

"J. DALE, 
"W. E. SAMPSON, 
"C. H. FLEMING, 
"Senior Class Committee. 

On the next morning, Wednesday, May 27th, the Juniors were notified 
that the Faculty had declined to reconsider the action toward the suspended 
Juniors. 

The class now decided to consider the petition of the suspended class- 
mates, which had been on the table awaiting the results of the Faculty meet- 
ing. It read: 

"To the Junior Class of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas: 
The undersigned members of the Junior Class of the A. and M. College were 
this morning officially notified of their indefinite suspension from the College 
on account of a certain article which appeared in the Battalion on April 22. 
This article was a denial of an interview given out by President Harrington 
in Austin, in which he stated that the recent turmoil at the College had been 
forgotten, and that class work was at its best. 

"This issue of the Battalion was published by the Junior Class, and the 
undersigned cadets composed the editorial staff. We believe that we were 
suspended in order to provoke a second strike on the part of our fellow stu- 
dents. 

"We feel and know that our fellow classmen sympathize with us in our 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 87 

trouble, and that we have their full confidence. We therefore appeal to you 
as friends and fellow students that you do not allow our suspension in any 
way to interfere with you in pursuance of your regular duties until com- 
mencement. From the bottom of our hearts we beg you to acquiesce in our 
petition and to continue your duties until commencement. 

"R. F. MILLER, 
"T. A. MUNSON, 
"ROY SEGEL, 
"W. R. GILBERT, 
"H. B. ALLEN, 
"C. J. MINTER, 
"T. A. VAN AMBURGH." 
The class voted unanimously to heed the request of the suspended mem- 
bers. 

President Harrington was advised by the Houston Post reporter of the 
gist of the action of the Seniors and declared that if the Senior Class made 
such declarations, he would certainly call it to the attention of the Faculty. 
As to what action this body would take he did not know. 

Following the action of the other classes, the Sophomores and Freshmen 
expressed their attitude as follows: 

Whereas, The Junior Class of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of 
Texas deemed it advisable to publish an article in the Battalion setting forth 
the views on certain matters concerning the College; and, 

Whereas, We believe that the article contained nothing but a clear, con- 
cise statement of facts, we fail to see the necessity of indefinitely suspending 
members of the Junior Battalion staff; and. 

Whereas, Said article meets with the absolute approval of our entire 
class; therefore be it 

Resolved, That we, the Sophomore Class, heartily indorse the article of 
the Juniors and take this means of expressing our sentiments to the honor- 
able people of Texas. 

T. S. WYCHE, 
O. W. SHERRILL, 
W. C. CRANE, 
J. P. HOLMES, 
J. C. ABNEY, 

The Sophomore Class Committee. 
We the freshmen Class of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of 
Texas, after carefully considering the article published in the Junior issue 
of the College paper of April 22, in regard to the statement given out by 
President Harrington in Austin, do unanimously endorse the said article. 
Furthermore, after investigating the matter we can see no reason for the 
suspension of the entire editorial staff of seven Juniors. 

We deplore the conditions now existing at college and feel that said con- 
dition was brought about by President Harrington to break up commence- 
ment. The article published by the Juniors appeared some six weeks ago 
and no action was taken then, but after attending two meetings of the Board 
of Directors and getting a written statement of authority from the Board, 
President Harrington has returned and brought the matter up at the time 
of our examinations. 

Unanimously indorsed, 

R. SOAPE, 
■ L. H. FITZHUGH, 

C. H. HARBEN, 
A. W. TAYLOR, 
CLAUDE KAVANAUGH, 
Freshman Class Committee. 



88 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Now relieved by the expressions of their sentiments, the students all settled 
to hard, earnest work, and with a vim before unequalled in previous exami- 
nations. 

And matters went on in a fairly smooth way as far as the students were 
concerned, as they felt everything would eventually turn out right since the 
public was becoming aroused over the matter. Numerous editorials were 
written together with many public letters, in the daily newspapers, a petition 
signed by 5000 citizens, to the Board, requesting an open investigation, while 
the Farm and Ranch openly opposed Harrington, for after sending an un- 
biased man down to investigate affairs, they fully understood the situation. 

The circumstances attendant upon the suspension of the Battalion staff 
for the publication of the denial of a statement by the president, without 
questioning the truthfulness of the objectionable article looked like a stab 
at the freedom of the press, a constitutional right, abridged in countries 
other than absolute monarchies, solely for the purpose of insuring the cor- 
rectness and reasonable truthfulness of the statements printed. 

It was so evident that the President hoped by thvis pushing matters oii 
the students, in the mood they were in, to provoke at least some act that 
would array public opinion against the students as. a lawless mob, if it did 
not even break up the school, and thus prevent the alumni and parents to 
meet at the College, and whom if they met, would undoubtedly take steps 
towards getting Dr. Harrington removed. And it was the consciousness that 
they were preventing the President from gaining either point that induced 
the students to work so hard for a continuance of College duties, without/ 
protest when seven members of the next year's Senior Class, or sixteen per 
cent of the Junior Class, were without sufficient cause unjustly suspended 
from the College within a week of Commencement. 

At this time ten of the parents living in Dallas, who had sons at the Col- 
lege, signed a call for all the patrons to meet in Bi-yan, Texas, June 8, as 
follows: 

"Dallas, Texas, May 31, 1908. 

"To the Patrons of Agricultural and Mechanical College: 

"We, the undersigned citizens of Dallas, who are patrons of the Agricul- 
tural and Mechanical College, hereby call a meeting of the patrons of said 
College, to be held in the town of Bryan, Texas, Monday, June 8, 1908. We 
do this for the reason that we realize that for some months the conditions 
which have existed at the College have resulted in a large measure in a 
waste of the time of our boys and a profitless expenditure of our own and 
the State's money; besides, we consider the present relations existing be- 
tween the President and the student body highly detrimental to a proper 
development along the lines which make for character and noble citizenship. 
As parents, no interest is greater than ours. Let us, therefore, at whatever 
sacrifice is necessary, meet at the time and place suggested, and join in any 
effort which may be made to procure a full and open investigation of the 
conditions at the College and such a correction of the existing evils so that 
our boys may, in a proper atmosphere and under proper conditions, pursue 
their studies. Our love for our own State, pride in this great institution 
and a desire to have our sons educated there, can find no better expression 
than in this meeting. Besides, it is our duty to do all we can before arrang- 
ing to send them elsewhere. Those of you who can not possibly attend, 
write to J. H. Furneaux, addressing him at Bryan, Texas, and let us know 
your views with regard to the suggestions contained in this letter. 

"W. S. McCREW, "GEORGE BRUNDRETT, 

"MRS. GEORGIA STENGER, "L. E. BRANNIN, 

"O. P. GRANT, "J. H. FURNEAUX, 

"W. S. JOHNSON, "LAFAYETTE FITZHUGH, 

"J. C. RUGLE." "CHAS. OTT. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 89 

CHAPTER VI. 

A NEW INVESTIGATION. 

Commencement at College. 

"And in the court yard there was a great commotion." 

By Saturday, June 6th, the Alumni began to arrive at College, and the 
next day an executive meeting of the so-called Houston committee pre- 
viously referred to, of which James Cravens is chairman, was held in 
Bryan for the purpose of a thorough understanding as to the lines on which 
the committee would present the matter to the Board of Directors. After 
this three informal meetings w^re held at the College, with the above 
purpose in view. 

At 9 o'clock, Monday morning the Alumni Association was called together 
to receive the report of the committee; F. M. Law was president and A. 
Mitchell, secretary. 

The first action was the adoption of a resolution asking the ex-students 
to be on the grounds during the meeting, and that they have full floor 
privileges. 

E. J. Smith of Denison, a member of the committee appointed at the 
February meeting in Houston for the purpose of devising some method by 
which harmony could be obtained at College, stated to the body the pur- 
pose of the meeting. He said it was proposed to find ways and means for 
bettering conditions which are causing dissension in the ranks of the stu- 
dents and Faculty and to secure a reopening of the investigation of 
charges against Dr. Harrington. 

He stated that at meetings of the committee, different views were enter- 
tained as to the best method to be pursued, and that their deliberations were 
ready for presentation in report form and that it was up to the meeting 
to say whether the report should go to the Board as a resolution or as a 
formal request. 

C. C. Todd, of San Antonio, secretary of the committee, then read the 
report: 

"To the Members of the Board of Directors of the Agricultural and Mechan- 
ical College, through K. K. Leggett, Chairman, sitting at College Sta- 
tion, Texas: 

"College Station, Texas, June 8th. 
"Gentlemen: By reason of the deplorable conditions then existing at 
the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, and that had existed for 
some time prior thereto, there was a called meeting at Houston, Texas, of 
graduates and ex-students of this institution to take steps looking toward 
relieving this institution of the situation above referred to. 

"This meeting was held on the 22nd day of February, 1908, and was 
well attended. So far as we were able to determine, but one thought in- 
spired the gentlemen who attended this meeting, and that was what could 
be done to perpetuate the old College that we all were so fond of and re- 
store confidence in the minds of the student body, the patrons of the school 
and the people of Texas. At the time this meeting was held, what was com- 
monly known as the strike on the part of the student body was still on. 
Many of the students were at their home and had refused to return under 
existing conditions. At this meeting the present student body was prom- 
ised by the Alumni and ex-students of the Agricultural and Mechanical Col- 
lege that if they would return and resume their studies that they, the 
Alumni and ex-students, would undertake to have held an open, full and 
fair investigation, to the end that the truth of the situation might be known 
and the necessary relief obtained. 



90 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"For this purpose, and for no other, the undersigned were appointed as 
a committee, not as representatives of the student body, but representing the 
great body of the citizens of Texas who comprise graduates of the college 
and ex-students, and we were empowered to use all honorable means to pro- 
cure the character of investigation hereinbefore set forth. At an informal 
meeting held with you gentlemen on the occasion of the laying of the cor- 
nerstone of Goodwin hall, in March of this year, you agreed to receive and 
consider on Monday morning, June 8, 1908, at College Station, such charges 
or complaints respecting the management of the college, its oflBcers and Fac- 
ulty, as we, the committee, saw proper to present. 

"It has been suggested to us, and has been published in publications and 
circulated over Texas recently, that there have been, under the present 
management of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, gross irregularities 
in the matter of the expenditures of public moneys, and we suggest that a 
full investigation be had of the books and disbursements, and all contracts 
entered into and performed." 

Charges Against Harrington. 

Our attention has been called to conduct on the part of H. H. Harring- 
ton, President of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, and practices in- 
dulged in with his knowledge, acquiesence and approval, that in our judg- 
ment, if true, render him unfit to hold the sacred and responsible position 
of President of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, and they are as 
follows: 

1. That H. H. Harrington is a man of high temper, domineering dis- 
position, is unreasonable in his demands and requirements, and quarrel- 
some and offensive to a majority of the Faculty and student body. 

2. That he has had a number of fist fights in the Faculty room and on 
the campus. 

3. That while a member of the Faculty he made a murderous assault 
with a shotgun upon a student of the College without any cause whatever, 
using profane, obscene and vulgar language at said time. 

4. That he is not in touch, and has not the respect and confidence of a 
majority of this or any other student body since he has been President. 

5. That he is not in touch with a number of the Faculty, and is without 
their esteem, confidence and respect. And by reason of this fact the College 
has lost some of its ablest and most valuable professors largely because said 
professors were not subservient to his will at a sacrifice of the interests of 
the College, and by this course of conduct has forfeited the confidence of the 
student body, and has impaired the discipline of the institution. 

6. That his methods of conducting the College are more that of a poli- 
tician seeking, obtaining and endeavoring to hold a position, rather than 
that of the head of a great institution, and he is the direct cause of the 
practice of cheap politics in the management of the affairs of the Agricul- 
tural and Mechanical College, which is detrimental in the extreme to the 
future growth of the College or its President's usefulness. And instead of 
devoting his time since said trouble in performing his duties at the College, 
he has spent his time in efforts to further his own interests. 

7. That he is responsible for withholding a portion of the maintenance 
fund due the patrons of the school at the close of the session of 1907. 

8. That he is responsible for the improper retention of trust funds de- 
posited by students, without reference to the responsibility of the individuals 
charged therewith, this being in direct violation of section 2, article 21, of 
the regulations established by the directors, which reads as follows; 'The 
trust fund is to pay for property damaged or destroyed and shall be refunded 
direct to the parent or guardian if there is no charge of this kind against 
the student." 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 91 

9. That said Harrington is now drawing several salaries, not as Presi- 
dent but as head of a number of departments connected with the College, 
which is wrong in principle, if not in law, and interferes with a proper per- 
formance of his duties as president, and tends too much to commercialize 
the great position he occupies. 

10. The training of our boys as students of the Agricultural and Mechan- 
ical College with reference to habits of temperance and sober and manly 
conduct is always essential. We are advised that a large supply of intoxi- 
cating liquor is being purchased, evidently with College funds, and improp- 
erly used and drunk at the Agricultural and Mechanical College, to the detri- 
ment of good morals, and is bad in example to the student body. 

11. That it has been made perfectly manifest that President Harrington 
is wanting in executive ability, and in power to control the student body of 
the Agricultural and Mechanical College, as is made manifest by (1) the 
strike in January, 1908, (2) by permitting himself to be twice hung in 
effigy on the College grounds, and the perpetrators going unpunished, and 
without any attempt to punish them. (3) by the open disrespect shown him 
by the student body of the Agricultural and Mechanical College 

12. Truth is desired by all honest men above all else, and is usually 
rewarded, and is always sought for and desired. President Harrington, 
by favoring and urging the indefinite suspension of the editorial staff of 
the Battalion for publishing a denial of his alleged interview under an 
Austin headline, reciting, in substance, "that the strike had been broken 
and class work was up to the usual standing," was wrong in principle and an 
unwarranted exercise of his power and is hurtful to the young men of our 
State, in that it teaches them that the truth shall be punished and ' a mis- 
statement rewarded. 

And that bj^ delayed action with reference to said suspension Harrington 
hoped to incite some outbreak on the part of the student body which would 
array public opinion against the students and with him, and to prevent com- 
mencement exercises, thereby preventing the gathering of the Alumni and 
ex-students and parents of the cadets whom he had every reason to believe 
would take some action seeking to obtain his removal from the Presidency 
of said College. 

Has Lost Respect of School. 

13. That in addition to the foregoing we charge upon our own responsi- 
bility that the President of the Agricultural and Mechanical College has lost 
the respect of the student body and does not possess their confidence. That 
there is a bitter enmity between them and him and discord, strife and 
discontent prevail. That President Harrington is the executive head of the 
College and as such his duties are to command the respect and confidence 
of the student body to the end that he may preserve order, maintain disci- 
pline and inspire the students to the proper intellectual achievements and 
moral delevopment; to so demean himself toward the professors and instruc- 
tors under him as that they will feel kindly toward him and will be en- 
couraged to put forth their best efforts in their respective departments and 
generally to so direct College affairs as to promote harmony and peace and 
to create such an atmosphere as that uninterrupted and undisturbed work 
may be done by all connected with the institution. That in all these things 
he has failed utterly, and instead of doing these things or any of them, the 
Agricultural and Mechanical College while under him has been brought to 
and is now on the verge of destruction. That present conditions at the 
College conclusively demonstrate that Prof. Harrington does not possess 
the executive ability, the traits of character and disposition necessary to 
enable him to successfully preside over the Agricultural and Mechanical 
College. That this failure upon his part has been demonstrated at a cost 



92 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

already too great to the students, parents and taxpayers of Texas. At a 
cost so great to the Agricultural and Mechanical College that it can not be 
estimated. That the students are soon to leave for their respective homes 
and their parents will, of necessity, make other arrangements with reference 
to their sons, since the conditions of feeling existing between them and the 
President and the general condition of affairs at the College renders it ab- 
surd for their parents to return them to A. and M. Said conditions also will 
prevent other boys from coming. 

We stand ready to furnish full and convincing proof of these matters 
charged upon our own responsibility, and upon the other matters herein 
charged we respectfully submit that it is a duty you owe to the great State 
of Texas, to the patrons of the school, to the present student body and to the 
College itself to cause to be held as here requested, at an early date, an open, 
full free and public investigation of all the matters hereinbefore submitted to 
you to the end that the truth may be known and the proper remedy applied 
for such evils as may be found to exist, either in the student body, the 
President of the institution or its Faculty. And in the event you should de- 
termine to have such an investigation the ex-students of the Agricultural 
and Mechanical College stand ready to give you all the assistance possible 
to arrive at the truth. 

After the reading of the report, Mr. Smith further addressed the meet- 
ing. He said that three of the members of the committee visited the Col- 
lege in March and it was then agreed between them and the Board that to- 
day, June 8th, the Board would receive the committee with a demand for 
investigation, and that the Board would reserve the right to receive, act 
or reject the memorial. The report, he said, was submitted with no further 
explanation than that there was an honest disagreement as to the method 
of presenting it to the Board. 

James Cravens, of Houston, chariman of the committee, here entered the 
hall and said the Board of Directors was prepared to await the pleasure of 
the committee. 

R. C. Watkin of Houston moved that the committee be instructed to sign 
the report and present it to the Board at once. 

R. D. Bowen of Paris asked if the committee was prepared t^o prove the 
charges. 

"We are prepared to prove the charges that we state upon our own re- 
sponsibility," said Mr.. Smith. 

Charles Rogan of Austin wanted to know if the adoption of the motion 
would commit the meeting to the statements or would it only commit the 
committee as saying that it could prove the assertions. 

Mr. Watkin said that most of the matters had already been partially 
investigated. 

R. E. Pennington of Brenham moved that the report be presented as 
resolutions asking for an investigation. He said he did not want the meet- 
ing to go on record as saying that Dr. Harrington was guilty, but only as 
asserting the necessity of an investigation. 

Mr. Cravens said the committee did not undertake to say that Dr. Har- 
rington was guilty, any more than a lawyer could positively assert that he 
could prove the charges in his petition to a court. The committee did mean 
to say that the evidence before it showed the necessity of an investigation. 
He accepted the amendment proposed by Mr. Pennington. 

J. S. Radford asked if the committee had a list of witnesses. 

E. J. Smith said that the committee had gone into the matter very thor- 
oughly and had a list of witnesses for each charge. 

J. T. Cruse, a chemist at the Agricultural and Mechanical College, asked 
why not also prefer charges against the Faculty and also investigate it, 
since it was asserted that its members were also involved. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 93 

R. C. Watkin said that Dr. Harrington was President of the College, 
the charges had been made against him and should be investigated. If the 
testimony should prove others to be guilty they should be punished. 

H. M. Rollins of Houston said he had heard some one say: "Mark my 
words, others are guilty and have incited this trouble." 

"If that is true," said Mr. Rollins, "trot them out and we will investi- 
gate them." (Applause). 

Mr. Cruse said he made the remark in good faith; he believed the 
trouble had been incited from without, and that the investigation should be 
broader in its scope. 

Mr. Rogan said the conditions at the College should be investigated and 
its affairs straightened out even if a clean sweep should be necessary. 

Dr. W. S. Cox, class of '92, moved that there be a general investigation; 
that a clause to that effect be inserted in the report. 

Mr. Smith again explained that the board had written the charges only 
against Dr. Harrington because they were authorized to act only with ref- 
erence to him. 

Mr. Bowen further insisted upon a general investigation. 

Mr. Craven said that if anybody would prefer other charges, the commit- 
tee would very gladly present those charges. 

Mr. Bowen said he didn't want to prefer any charges. (Laughter). 

Mr. Watkin said the whole thing centered around Dr. Harrington. 

Mr. Bowen wanted to know if the report was to go to the press. 

Mr. Cushing — I see no reason for suppressing it. 

George Grupe of Galveston asked: "Are we going to take cognizance of 
the talk around the State, or are we going to support our board of di- 
rectors?" 

The motion of Mr. Watkin was then put and carried by a vote of 118, 
There were no votes in the negative, although perhaps five or six did not 
vote. The committee then left to present the memorials to the Board. 

A general discussion was indulged in as to whether or not the report 
should be published. Finally it was decided that since the reporters had 
already taken down everything, all that could be done was to ask that the 
report be not published until it was given to the Board of Directors. 

The Parents Meet in Bryan. 

In the meanwhile the patrons of the College were in independent ses- 
sion at the Carnegie Library Hall. 

J. C. Rugal, of Dallas, was elected president with J. C. Cochran, of 
Houston, secretary. There were about forty in attendance when the meet- 
ing was first called to order with some twenty-five more arriving before 
adjournment. 

When the meeting was first called to order J. H. Furneaux, of Dallas, 
explained its object. He stated that about one hundred and fifty letters had 
been received from patrons of the College, and without about two excep- 
tions they were all in sympathy and harmony with the object of the meeting. 

A letter expressing sympathy with the purposes of this meeting was read 
from the following citizens of Waco: Sam Freund. J. S. Harrison, M. B. 
Williford, E. M. Byars, R. G. Wright, G. B. Foster, C. O. Forsgard, James 
Johnson and A. Symes. 

There were several brief addresses, all to the effect that President Har- 
rington was not the right man in the right place and his removal should be 
demanded. It is difficult to secure the names of each one who spoke or 
made remarks because their names were not known to the President and he 
did not announce the name of the speaker who occupied the floor. Mr. Coch- 
ran in a brief and clear manner seems to have presented the sentiment 
prevailing among those present. In substance, he stated that the time had 



94 HISTORY OP THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

passed for demanding an investigation, but President Harrington's resig- 
nation or removal should be demanded for the good of the College. That 
for argument sake, he was willing to admit that President Harrington was 
as innocent as an unborn babe, but his inability was such that he could 
not control the student body and get results that were good for the students 
or the College. Parents want results for their money, which they can not 
get under the present regime; that they did not want an investigation, but 
the removal of President Harrington. 

Messrs. J. H. Furneaux of Dallas, P. W. Wood of Brenham and A. G. Mc- 
Mahon of Whitney were appointed a committee to name a committee on reso- 
lutions. They recommended, with three additions made by the conven- 
tion, the following committee, which was appointed: J. H. Purneaux, Dallas; 
E. M. Byars, Waco; R. B. Shearer, Lufkin; J. H. Van Ambergh, Houston; 
J. J. Summers, Cuero; A. G. McMahon, Whitney; P. W. Wood, Brenham. 

The committee then retired to discharge the duty assigned to it and the 
convention took a recess until the committee was ready to make its report. 

The committee reported the following resolutions, which were adopted: 

"Whereas, we the patrons of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, 
find a condition existing between the President and the student body which 
is calculated not only to impair the usefulness of the institution, but to result 
in its destruction, an institution which is fostered by the State and proudly 
supported by the people of this great commonwealth, and feeling that this 
condition calls for immediate action we therefore recommend that this con- 
vention, representing as it does two hundred and twenty-five parents and 
guardians of students of the present year, request the Board of Directors of 
said Agricultural and Mechanical College to call upon President H. H. Har- 
rington and ask for his resignation, and in the event of a refusal that he be 
removed by said Board, and we urge the same for the following reasons in 
addition to those already indicated above: 

"That we find after carefull investigation among the patrons, students and 
citizens generally, that there is neither sympathy nor harmony between 
the President on the one side and the student body on the other side; but on 
the contrary there is a spirit of dissatisfaction, unrest and disrespect that 
can result in no good to the institution, present or futui-e, nor to the welfare 
of our boys at any time. 

"The time and energy of our boys, as well as the expense incident to 
maintaining them in this institution since the strike in February last has 
been largely wasted and much money expended by the patrons and in many 
instances procured at great sacrifice and for this reason the present condi- 
tions, if permitted to continue, are calculated to poison the public mind 
against the institution and to eventually result in irreparable injury and 
damage to the future of the College. 

"We feel that our boys should be able to rely upon the President of the 
institution for that care and solicitude for the shaping of their characters 
for fitting them for useful citizenship that they could expect from their 
own parents, and the present conditions that have so long existed having 
demonstrated to us that our boys are not receiving that care, influence for 
good and parental control, we feel that the risk to which we are subjecting 
our boys is dangerous to their welfare and that these conditions can never 
improve so long as President Harrrington remains as the executive head of 
the institution. 

"Instead of an improvement in conditions since the troubles of last Feb- 
ruary we find that the feeling between the President and the student body in 
its unpleasantness has become even more intensified, as evidenced by the 
recent suspension of seven students, members of the Junior Class, in which 
the question of free speech was seriously involved and the sacred rights 
thereof not only attacked, but denied. We fear that the suspension of these 
young men was dominated by a spirit of unfairness as evidenced by the 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 95 

fact that the Faculty, voting a tie upon the question, the entire decision of 
the whole matter in question was determined by the President, who as 
against said pupils was the party interested. Therefore, the action of the 
President in the premises places him in the position of a trial judge, a posi- 
tion antagonistic to the fundamental principles of every instinct of right and 
01 American civilization. Not only is this true, but these facts and -cir- 
cumstances show that the spirit of the old difficulty, which all of us had 
hoped to see allayed, was behind and entei'ed into the suspension of said 
cadets. When we urged our boys to return to this school last spring and to 
resubmit themselves to the constituted authorities and to deport them- 
selves with such propriety as to commend them to the most favorable con- 
sideration of the authorities of the school and the people of Texas generally, 
we indulged in the hope that harmony would be restored, and that the stu- 
dent body would be able to pursue successfully their studies and their duties, 
but we find that the unfortunate condition then prevailing has not only not 
improved, but has constantly grown more acute and has now reached the 
crisis that demands the removal of Professor Harrington should he not be 
appreciative enough of the conditions and patriotic enough to tender his 
resignation." 

The following resolution was introduced and unanimously adopted: 

"Whereas, Seven members of the Junior Class have been indefinitely sus- 
pended by the Faculty of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, and, 

"Whereas, It is the unanimous sentiment of this body that the said 
suspension was brought about by ill-advised and hasty action, and by the de- 
ciding vote of President Harrington, the party aggrieved; therefore be it 

"Resolved, That the committee authorized by this convention, be and are 
hereby instructed to use all lawful and reasonable efforts to have said seven 
students reinstated by the proper authorities." 

Committee to present all resolutions to the Board of Directors of said 
College and carry out the instructions of this body is as follows: F. H. Bur- 
meister, R. B. Shearer, F. W. Wood, J. H. Furneaux, J. C. Rugel, A. G. Mc- 
Mahan J. B. Cochran. 

Following was also adopted: 
"To the Patrons of the Agricultural and Mechanical College in Convention 

Assembled : 

"We, your committee on resolutions beg to offer for your further consid- 
eration the following resolution: 

"Resolved, That we, as patrons of the Agricultural and Mechanical Col- 
lege, recognizing the fact that the future preservation of our College de- 
pends upon immediate and decisive action of the Board of Directors, and in 
the event they do not take some action along the line suggested in our appeal 
to them, that we maintain our present organization, and the Chair be au- 
thorized to call a future meeting of this body at such time and place as 
he deems best to take this grave question up with higher authorities for its 
proper adjustmeat." "B. M. BYARS, 

J. H. VAN AMBURGH 
"J. H. FURNEAUX, 
"J. J. SUMMERS, 
"F. W. WOOD, 
"A. G. McMAHAN, 
"R. B. SHEARER." 

"Be it Resolved by the patrons of the A. and M. College assembled 
that we heartily endorse all the actions of the A. and M. Alumni in behalf 
of our boys, students at the A. and M. College, and that we hereby tender 
them our sincere thanks and ask of them their future co-operation. The fol- 
lowing are hereby appointed to act as a committee to present these resolu- 
tions to the Alumni now in session. 

"G. W; Tharpe, W. S. McCrew, and W. S. Jobson." 



96 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

These resolutions were unanimously adopted together with one asking 
that copies of them all be sent to Governor Campbell. 

The patrons' convention adjourned from Bryan to the College, where a 
brief session was held in the chapel. The patrons on the college ground 
joined those who come from Bryan. In a body they proceeded to the room 
of the Directors, where the resolutions adopted were presented. 

Judge Nugent of Conroe, J. B. Cochran of Houston and F. H. Bur- 
meister of Tilden made able speeches before the Board. 

On the whole the Board respectfully received the committee, and assured 
them that the best interests of the College was the only thing they had in 
mind. 

WITH THE ALUMNI. 

At the afternoon session nothing was heard from the special committee 
until 4 o'clock, when it reported that the Board did not expect to have a 
reply for them until after supper. The reports of various officers and com- 
mittees were heard, among them the reports upon the organization of A. and 
M. Clubs at several places in the State. 

On motion of R. D. Bowen, the committee appointed to co-operate with 
the Farmers' Congress was instructed to co-operate with the Farmers' 
Union also. 

Committee on Proposed Investigation. 

R. E. Pennington, J. Webb Howell, of Bryan; F. Marion Law of Bryan, 
and R. C. Watkins of Houston, were added to the committee which is in 
charge of the proposed investigation. The other members of this committee 
are James Cravens of Houston, chairman; E. J. Smith of Denison, H. L. 
Wright, of Palestine. F. A. Reichardt of Houston, C. C. Todd of San An- 
tonio, secretary. 

The subject of paying money to pay the expenses of the association in the 
proposed investigation was presented. The Houston Club led off by pledging 
$250, but upon canvassing its membership in attendance, raised $385. Con- 
tributions were as follows: Dallas $100, Brazos county $100, San Antonio 
$75, Beaumont $C0, Bell county $25, Palestine $30, P. L. Sanders, Nacog- 
doches, $10, Brenham $25, Denison $25, R. D. Bowen, Paris, $50, Colorado 
county $5, T. B. Wharton $5, F. K. McGinnis $5, M. S. Church $5, New York 
ex-students of A. and M. $50. The last mentioned contribution was guaran- 
teed and paid by R. D. Bowen, who said there were seventy-five A. and M. 
men in New York City, some of them occupying prominent positions. The 
total amount raised was $1,015. 

The constitution of the Alumni Association was amended so as to admit 
to membership all students who have attended the A. and M. College for one 
year or more. However, only graduates of the College will be eligible for 
offices of the association. A resolution was adopted reciting that the limit 
of two years to the terms of Directors of the College was harmful to the 
institution, and calling upon the legislature to submit to the people a con- 
stitutional amendment providing for longer terms for the Board of the A. 
and M. College and other similar institutions. 

A resolution was adopted referring to the troubles at the College. It 
expressed great gratification because the members of the association had 
been equal to the occasion and expressed the belief that the College would 
now be a wreck but for the action of the Alumni and ex-students who came 
on the ground at the time the students were about to leave. Thanks were 
also expressed to the special committee. Those resolutions were presented 
by a committee composed of B. C. Pittuck, E. B. Cushing. J. W. Howell, 
H. C. Kyle and W. L. Dazy. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 97 

At this juncture a committee from the patrons' meeting appeared and 
presented a resolution thanking the Ahimni for its work for the boys. An 
appropriate response was made by President Law. On motion of Capt. 
Reichardt the rule barring from membership students who had not attended 
the A. and M. College for a full year was suspended by a two-thirds vote, 
and H. A. Payne of Houston and Dr. George R. Tabor of Bryan were elected 
to membership. Officers of the association were elected as follows: 

President, R. C. Watkin of Houston; Vice Presidents, J. Webb Howell 
of Bryan, R. E. Pennington of Brenham, H. F. Jones of Houston, W. A. 
Price of Kosse, A. C. Love of Beaumont and B. H. Poy of Palestine; Sec- 
retary and Treasurer, A. Mitchell of College; third member of the Execu- 
tive Committee, James Cravens of Houston. 

On motion of R. D. Bowen, Henry L. Casey of New York, class of '78, was 
elected an honorary member. The meeting adjourned at 8 o'clock. 

The annual Alumni banquet was held that night at 11 o'clock. 

In answer to a press reporter for a statement in regard to the charges, 
Dr. Harrington said: 

"The charges are frivolous and untrue, and will be refuted at the proper 
time. In the meanwhile I ask for the suspension of public opinion until 
they have had an opportunity to know the facts." 

BOARD PROMISES INVESTIGATION. 

At a late hour Monday night, the following resolution was adopted or- 
dering the investigation: 

"Resolved, That the Board will meet at 2 p. m., June 9th, for the purpose 
of investigating the present conditions of the College in all its phases, 
and that such investigation shall continue at such times and for such lengths 
of time as may in their judgment be necessary to develop the facts, and at 
the conclusion of said investigation, the Board will take such action as in 
their judgment the interests of the College may demand." 

This communication was delivered the next morning, Tuesday, June 
9th, or Graduation Day for the Senior Class, in answer 

"To the Honorable Board of Directors of Agricultural and Mechanical Col- 
lege, Sitting at College Station: 

"Gentlemen: We have just been advised that you have by an order placed 
on record evidence of your determination to begin at 2 p. m. today an inves- 
tigation of present conditions at the College in all its phases. 

"No suggestion is contained of an answer to our resolution or informa- 
tion given as to your action with reference to the matters and to charges 
contained in the document which was submitted to you on yesterday by the 
Alumni Association and ex-students of A. and M. College Neither are we 
advised as to the action taken by you with reference to the suggestion and 
request accompanying said documents, which was in substance as follows, 
that much of the evidence by which it is expected to establish the matter 
and charges set out in said document must be gotten from tne employes, 
professors and students of the College for the obvious reason that the things 
complained of being in connection with College affairs, the evidence estab- 
lishing these things must of necessity come largely from those connected 
with the College, viz., the employes, professors, instructors and pupils of the 
College. 

"But that since all these are under Professor Harrington, and are there- 
fore within his power to harm, we feel that it is imperative and absolutely 
necessary to the ends of justice and the discovery of the truth that you 
who alone have the power to protect them will give some positive and' public 
assurance that you will if necessary exercise your power and will protect 
all such as may testify to the truth against Harrington, and though said 
testimony may reflect on you and be injurious to Professor Harrington, that 



98 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

this committee feel that for these and other obvious reasons that it will 
be greatly handicapped in any effort which it may make to assist you in 
discovering the truth unless you in some positive clear cut manner give 
general assurance and grant this request. 

"We respectfully ask that you act before any other steps are taken with 
regard to those phases of the investigation which this committee may be 
expected or may be permitted to assist in. We are also not advised as to 
whether this investigation is to be an open one, to which the public and 
the representatives of the press may be admitted and the entire proceedings 
may be taken down by a stenographer and made public. 

"Will you please advise us as to this. Neither are we advised as to 
whether this committee will be permitted to appear in person and by at- 
torney or other duly accredited representatives and participants in said in- 
vestigation; offer evidence and interrogate such witnesses as may appear 
before or may be brought before those conducting said investigation. Upon 
this we would appreciate immediate advice in writing. 

"We also beg to respectfully suggest that some comprehensive order 
should be issued by you directing all employes, professors and other at- 
taches of the College to remain at College Station and be required to testify 
fully in connection with said investigation upon all matters about which 
they may be interrogated. 

"We would appreciate immediate information as to your action upon this 
subject; also beg to suggest that some arrangements be made by which the 
pupils and parents whom this committee as you may desire to offer as wit- 
nesses may remain upon the campus in the same quarters and upon the 
same rates now paid by pupils and that an announcement as to this be 
made today if possible. 

"Thanking you for such a reply in writing as will charge and indicate 
who the committee may be expected to, or may be permitted to do in con 
nection with said investigation. Respectfully yours, 

JAMES CRAVENS, Chairman." 

Reply of the Board. 

After receiving the communication of the committee from the Alumni 
Association it went into executive session and after discussing it until 4 
o'clock an answer was drawn up and submitted to the committee as follows: 

"College Station, Texas, June 9th. 
"Mr. James Cravens, Chairman Committee Alumni Association Agricultural 

and Mechanical College: 

"Dear Sir: Replying to your communication of this date, we beg to 
say that no one will be dismissed by reason of his testifying in this investi- 
gation, per se. 

"Every one testifying will be expected to tell the truth and all of it. The 
Board may or may not, after the investigation is over, dismiss one or more 
of those who shall have testified. Further than this we make no promises. 

"As we have previously advised you, we have ordered a full and thor- 
ough investigation of all matters relating to the present trouble at the Col- 
lege, and assure you that this investigation will be open and public, and we 
have employed a stenographer to take down the evidence. 

"The parties presenting charges and the President will be permitted to 
appear in person and by attorneys. All persons in possession of information 
pertinent to this inquiry are invited and requested to appear and testify. 

"While we do not consider it the duty of the Board to provid^e accommo- 
dations for parties interested in this controversy, yet for a limited time, 
within the discretion of the board, we will direct the steward to keep the 
mess hall open, where board will be furnished at the rate of $1 per day 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 99 

and said persons may occupy rooms in the barracks under the control of the 
commandant. Very truly, 

"K. K. LEGOETT, 
"President Board of Directors." 

GRADUATING EXERCISES. 

In the meanwhile graduation exercises were held. 
The following were the graduates: 

Agricultural Course — C. A. Burmeister, Tilden; W. L. Heller, Buc^a; 
H. H. Jobson, Mesquite; R. B. Neal, Leonard; J. R. Lauderdale, Lampasas; 

B. R. Rooinson, Trenton; A. J. Smith, Branchville. 

Animal Husbandry Course — C. M. Evans, Talpa; W. G. North, Cuero; 

C. E. Jones, Harvey; J. H. McLeod, Wills Point; H. Schmidi, Comfort. 
Civil Engineering Course — For the degree Civil Engineer, R. E. Schiller 

of Burlington; for the degree Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, L. 
Adams of Buda, M. C. Spivey, Burke; V. S. Beall, Fort Worth; G. F. Moore, 
Fort Worth; A. L. Cornell, Italy; J: B. Crockett, Prosper; W. W. Washburn, 
Houston; I. Dale, Chillicothe; C. W. Homeyer, Burton; L. R. Jones, Walnut 
Springs; W. E. Sampson, St. Joe; R. H. Standifer, Greenville; J. A. Warden, 
McKinney. 

Electrical Engineering Course — W. E. Bower, Jr., Stephenville; G. T. 
Brundrett, Dallas; O. L. Ellis, Abilene; Knox Lee, Comanche; A. Munson, 
Angleton; H. F. Foy, Baird; Jay Wray, Center Point; George E. Skaggs of 
Georgetown. 

Horticultural Course — T. E. Holloway, Dallas; S. Lomanitz, College Sta- 
tion; T. E. McElroy, San Marcos; E. A. Miller, New Ulm; N. M. McGinnis. 
Terrell. 

Mechanical Engineering Course — T. J. Beesley, Tracey; Dan Culver, 
Lampasas; R. E. Schaefer, Schulenburg; J. Dale, Chillicothe; D. B. Nether- 
wood, Galveston; Hal Moseley, Dallas; M. Lindner, Comfort; A. B. Whittet, 
Anchorage. 

Textile Engineering Course — T. A. Adams, Bryan; C. H. Fleming, Cisco; 
P. D. Casey, Tuscola. 

The Investigation Commences. 

At 4:15 the committee, with Hatton W. Summers of Dallas as counsel 
apeared before the board and the investigation was begun. 

Mr. Summers said the Board had neglected to state its action with re- 
spect to that clause of the communication requesting that the Board issue 
a general order for professors and employes to remain on the campus for the 
investigation and that they be requested to appear before the board and 
give testimony. 

Judge K. K. Leggett, chairman of the Board said that that portion of its 
reply which asks everybody to come before the Board is answer to that 
clause. 

Mr. Summers asked Judge Leggett if the Board had any power to sub- 
poena witnesses, to which the chairman replied that the board had dis- 
cussed that matter and if they had they are not aware of it. 

"The attitude of this committee," said Mr. Summers, "is that much of 
the testimony must come from the teachers and employes of the College over 
which you at least have persuasive influence, and we believe that the Board 
should issue some order to assist in getting these people before the Board 
upon the request of this committee to testify to such matter;? as they may be 
interrogated by the committee." 

The matter was discussed at some length and after Judge Leggett had 
stated that the Board had no power to prevent persons leaving, on motion 
of Mr. Peteet the position of the Board, as stated in the communication was 



100 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

adhered to with the understanding that the Board would deal as they 
arise with questions in reference to professors or employes refusing to testify 
when subpoenaed for the Alumni in the name of the Board. 

With reference to the swearing in of witnesses, on being asked by Mr. 
Summers, Judge Leggett replied that the Board had no such power, but it 
has been agreed to have the witnesses swear before a notary. 

Judge Leggett, replying to Mr. Summers, said that the Board had agreed 
that if there are objections to testimony they are to be submitted to the 
chairman without argument, and that if there was an appeal from his 
ruling it was to be made to the Board without argument and decided by that 
body. 

In reference to a general investigation. Judge Leggett said it was not 
the disposition of the Board to confine itself to the thirteen charges made 
against President Harrington, but that the examination would be conducted 
over other charges that may be presented. 

The chairman of the Board stated that the order in which the testimony 
is to be introduced would be left to the attorneys, with the Board reserving 
the right to fix a limitation of it. 

"You are simply meeting as a Board to find out the facts," suggested Mr. 
Summers, to which Judge Leggett assented. 

Mr. Summers stated that he had received no copy of the answer, to which 
Judge Leggett replied that no answer had been filed. 

Judge Charles Rogan of Austin stated that no answer had been prepared, 
because no counsel had been retained by Dr. Harrington. "I am here as 
his friend, and I do not know how long I shall remain. I will remain here 
until more suitable arrangements can be made, as his friend to look after 
his interests. In some instances, a general denial will be made to charges, 
while others will be answered more specifically." 

Mr. Summers suggested that the filing of an answer would expedite 
matters, for instance, if there should be an admission of confession and 
avoidance and the like. 

Judge Ro«an expressed the opinion that this was a matter which ought 
not to concern the other side. The first charge, he said, was that President 
Harrington was unpopular with the students. He suggested that this be 
taken up and the students examined with reference to it before they left 
the grounds. A general denial would be entered to that charge, as well 
as to the charge that he had had fist fights upon the campus and that he 
had made an assault with a shotgun upon a student. 

Mr. Summers called attention to the thirteenth charge. This, he said, 
was made upon the responsibility of the committee of the Alumni Associa- 
tion, and it expected to prove that. The other charges were presented sim- 
ply as matters which had been brought to the attention of said committee, 
and they had recomended that the Board should investigate them and of- 
fered the board assistance in the premises. He said that the committee 
would like to take this charge up and investigate it while the students were 
here. This is the charge that President Harrington's traits of character 
are such as to unfit him for the executive position as President of the 
College. 

Mr. Sumners said it was regarded as the most important charge. Judge 
Rogan said the President did not hold himself responsible for present con- 
ditions at the College. He asked if the committee after giving publicity to 
the other charges now disclaimed responsibility for them. 

Mr. Sumners said he did not wish to be so understood, and that the com- 
mitteee had made its meaning clear. It proposed proving the charge which 
it set out on its own responsibility and to assist in the investigation of the 
others. 

President Leggett said he was personally in favor of throwing the doors 
wide open in the introduction of evidence upon the charges here made, and 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 101 

then the Board could investigate such other matters as in its judgment were 
necessary. 

Judge Rogan said that if no answer should be filed at all, the investiga- 
tion should nevertheless proceed. It was before agreed that the taking of 
testimony should begin, and the oaths should be administered by S. E. An- 
drews, the notary public at the College. He was not to be found, and pend- 
ing his arrival Director Mclnnis, who is a notary, administered the oaths. 
At 5 o'clock G. Board was sworn in as official stenographer, together with 
Messrs. Simmons and McCarthy, he took down the testimony for the whole 
investigation. 

The Senior and Junior Classes, at the request of the Alumni, had prom- 
ised to remain on the grounds, pending the investigation, or at least until 
it was known just who would likely be wanted as witnesses. 

The patrons of the College held a meeting and appointed a committee 
to act with a like committee of the .AJumni Association to attend the session 
of the Board of Directors during its investigation. Following is the com- 
mittee: F. H. Burmeister, Tilden; J. H. Jennings, Martindale, and C. A. 
Menke, Hempstead. 

Burmeister First Witness. 

Frank H. Burmeister, lawyer and county surveyor of Tilden, McMullen 
county, was the first witness called. His son graduated today, taking hon- 
ors during each of the four years. Mr. Burmeister came to the college upon 
this occasion Sunday. In response to questions, he testified as to conditions 
at the College from observation and hearsay. The feeling between the 
president and student body is hostile. He has come in contact with about 
fifty patrons of the College since coming here; they consider conditions de- 
plorable and refuse to send their sons back next term if Harrington is still 
President, the witness said. This, he said was because they felt that at any 
time their sons might be provoked by Harrington's treatment to revolt, 
which would subject them to dishonorable discharge. Since February his 
feeling had been one of suspense, fear that the College might be closed at 
any time, causing his son to lose four years' good work. Asked if his 
son had gone on strike, he said the young man was a member of the com- 
mittee which called on Director Peteet, but when the strike took place 
the young man was in the hospital with measles and was thereby possibly 
prevented from knowing of the walkout. Witness was asked if from his 
observation and conversations with other patrons he thought conditions 
would improve or grow worse if Dr. Harrington were retained as President. 
Objection was sustained to this question, and Mr. Summers laughingly re- 
marked that he would not except. 

The witness was cross-examined by Judge Rogan, who asked what griev- 
ance young Mr. Burmeister had against Harrington. He said that the 
answer to that question would be to give his son's opinion, but on being 
asked if the young man had ever expressed any personal grievances against 
the President or a personal complaint against him, the witness answered 
that his son had never complained to him. Witness was asked if he was 
hostile to the President and he answered that he would be hostile to any 
man that made a personal attack upon his son. 

"But suppose your son were guilty of Insubordination?" 

"He should be punished without any question." 

Witness reiterated that during the four years his son had made no 
personal complaint again President Harrington. Asked what was the state 
of his feeling against Dr. Harrington, he said that he had never met the 
gentleman, but had an opinion. He thought Dr. Harrington made a fine 
instructor, but was not capable of being an executive officer. He said 
that he did not know what produced the strike nor who organized it. In 



102 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

fact, he did not know that it was organized. He suggested that possibly 
Director Peteet could give more information on that subject. He said he 
did not come to the patrons' meeting at the suggestion of anybody, but 
on the way to the commencement exercises that he heard there was to be 
a meeting and that he had attended. 

The remainder of the questions asked the witness were hypothetical. 
Here was one of them: "Suppose the President of the College did not have 
the moral support of half of the Faculty and the boys had been induced to 
believe that this was a fight of the President upon some members of the 
Faculty and they knew the sentiments of that part of the Faculty and the 
boys had been assured that a number of the Alumni and ex-students were 
backing them in the strike and encouraging them to have no respect for the 
President of the institution, do you believe it would be possible for the 
head of any institution in such oircumstances to have discipline?" 

"If you can prove that," said the witness, "I will voluntarily assist in 
defending Dr. Harrington. I want to place the institution upon such a 
plane that our sons will have the fatherly care of a capable man." 

Judge Rogan suggested that this did not answer the question. He re- 
peated it, and the witness replied: "Undoubtedly not, but he ought to have 
found out and fired the Faculty." 

"You blame the President for not discharging the Faculty?" 

"Yes, if he has the power." 

"Don't you know he hasn't the power?" 

"Then let him get the Board together." 

.Judge Rogan then asked the witness if he didn't think that if a student 
held grievances he should appeal to the Faculty and then if he did not get 
redress appeal to the Board. Witness said he certainly so believed. 

"If your son had joined in a strike would you have justified his actions 
if he had no personal grievance? Do you justify the action of any student 
in taking a class oath in joining in a strike, in defying the constituted 
authorities? Do you not understand that the taking of class oath is a de- 
fiance of all authority, including parental authority?" asked Judge Rogan. 

"I don't believe a boy has any business to take any such oath or join a 
secret society to do either good or harm, but if you give me the facts in 
this particular case I will answer your question." 

Witness said that he recognized the fact that when a student went on 
strike he placed himself against all constituted authority. Asked how his 
son was getting along before the strike, he said all right, but he had made 
no complaint whatever. 

Mr. Burmeister did not regard the hanging of the President in effigy 
on April Fools Day as a serious matter. 

On re-direct examination he said that he did not indorse a condition 
which drives the students to strike. Mr. Summers put a hypothetical ques- 
tion reviewing the work of the Alumni, asking if the witness regarded the 
securing of the boys to return to their studies, promising to right their 
wrongs, but telling them that the strike was wrong as not backing the 
cadets up in the strike. The witness said he did not. 

The committee adjourned till morning. 

After the events of the day during which the investigation into conditions 
at the College opened, the night was one of gaiety. The event was the an- 
nual ball and the great hall where the boys have been breakfasting, dining 
and supping during the year was ablaze with lights. 

From all of the sections of the country around came the sweethearts of 
the students to dance and laugh the night away. Next door sat the Presi- 
dent who was under fire. The music and the sound of shuflBing feet came 
across the chasm. That was all. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 103 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10. 

When the Board of Dii-ectors of the A. and M. College convened Wednes- 
day morning it was announced by Judge Charles Rogan of Austin that Judge 
Sam R. Scott of Waco would formally represent President Harrington in the 
inquiry. 

P. H. Burmeister was recalled to the stand. 

The witness was questioned with relation to the suspension of the seven 
Junior students for an article published in the Battalion six weeks before 
dismissal. The boys were sent home recently. The judgment of the witnesses 
on such action was sought inasmuch as it is alleged that the deciding vote 
of President Harrington to break a tie in the Faculty and expell the students 
is alleged by the President's enemies was done with the idea of breaking up 
the commencement exercises. The witness declared that the Alumni had acted 
in good faith. 

C. A. Burmeister, son of the first witness was called. He declared that 
the feeling of the Senior Class toward President Harrington was unkindly 
and that all but two or three of the upper classmen were without respect 
for the head of A. and M. 

Relations between Seniors and the President have been strained since 
the strike. They never seemed to notice him when they met him. The head 
of the institution never assumed the attitude of friendly consideration for 
the students. 

The events of the strike were considered. The Seniors came to Walton 
Peteet, the only member of the Board to be found. Mr. Peteet congratu- 
lated the boys on their organization and passed cigars. He showed a charm 
he said had been given him for leading a strike himself. That night he 
met the entire class. The boys were told to go back to work before their 
complaints could be considered. After the boys commenced to leave, the 
witness said, those of the Alumni came. 

"What is your attitude toward President Harrington?" asked Mr. Sum- 
mers. 

"I have no respect for him considering the conditions," declared the 
honor student. 

"What would be your attitude with regard to advising your friends to 
come to A. and M.?" 

The witness started to say that he would tell them to stay away when 
stopped by an objection. 

On cross examination the witness stated that he had applied for a posi- 
tion as night guard and was not appointed, while a student who had applied 
later did get the place. That, however, did not influence the witness, he de- 
clared. 

The matter of a train from Dallas upon the occasion of a foot-ball game 
was considered. 

It had been reported that President Harrington had attempted to fix the 
time for departure at 9 o'clock after arrangements had been made by the 
students to leave at midnight. 

The boys objected to coming back at 9 o'clock. 

"The unkindly feeling against President Harrington just naturally grew 
upon us," exclaimed the witness, "and there was a natural feeling of fra- 
ternity among us. When one boy had a grievance we all had. I had no 
personal grievance because I kept away from him. He always spoke in 
a gruff, haughty, cold manner. I did not want to see him if I could help it." 

When questioned as to what President Harrington had said, the witness 
could not repeat the exact words. The witness declared he had joined in a 
strike to get the Board to consider the communication asking for the re- 
moval of the President. 

Mr. Burmeister declared that the strike had been organized by mem- 



104 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

bers of the Senior Class without consultation with the professors. The boys 
wanted Dr. Harrington removed because of the general feeling that grew 
between the boys and the President. There was a lack of sympathy. 

"Did Rev. Nathan Powell try to get the boys to rebel against the Presi- 
dent?" asked Judge Rogan. 

"I never even talked to him and don't believe he did. As far as I know 
he had nothing to do with the organization. Some of the Senior Class had 
called upon Rev. Mr. Powell to return at the time of the investigation. The 
Board had announced that reasons for removing Dr.' Harrington were want- 
ed. The students had been given two days in which to prepare their 
charges. They presented all the charges they had evidence upon. 

It was explained at one time the entire student body had been before 
the President and the boys had been called cowards and sneaks. Freshmen 
•had been hazed by being strapped with belts; if the boys submitted they 
received two or three licks. Otherwise they received more. 

The witness had participated in this hazing. The father of one boy 
who had been hazed had written to the President. 

"How long has this been going on?" asked Judge Rogan. 

"Ever since I've been here." 

"You became offended when the President reprimanded?" 

"That's no grievance." 

"But you objected to what he said?" 

"He called us cowards and sneaks." 

"You believe in hazing?" 

"Yes, it makes a man of the fellow hazed." 

"Who does most of this?" 

"Generally the Sophomores. Sometimes the Juniors. We never strapped 
a boy unless he had been fresh." 

The matter of the trip to the foot-ball game last Thanksgiving at Austin 
was considered. The boys wanted to go by the International and Great 
Northern, but found that arrangements had already been made for special 
train via the Houston and Texas Central. The students believed that Prof. 
Harrington was responsible for selecting the road, although the Dean 
made the arrangements. Service had been poor and the Central train left 
Austin earlier than might otherwise had been on the other road. The 
witness stated that the effort to straighten out affairs at the College had 
been left in the hands of the Alumni since the strike was called off. 

"Was the investigation of last February full and complete?" 

"As much so as the students could make it at that time." 

"And the Board indorsed the President?" 

"Yes." 
"Did not the students agree that they would not give up their efforts 
until Dr. Harrington was discharged " 

"I believe so." 

"What did the Alumni promise?" 

"An investigation," continued the witness. "There had already been 
one, but the Alumni did not know whether it was fair or full enough." 

Class meetings had been held almost every day. Under the rules no 
such assemblage is permissable except under the authority of the President 
and as far as the witness knew no such authority had been obtained. 

On re-direct examination the witness stated that President Harrington 
had never made an effort to prevent class metings that were unauthorized. 

Nothing had been done, said the witness to establish cordial relations be- 
tween the President and students since the strike. 

J. H. Furneaux, of Dallas, one of the patrons of the school, was next 
called to the stand. 

He had issued the call for the meeting of the parents. Seventy-five or 
more came personally and one hundred and fifty letters had been written. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 105 

"What is the attitude of the patrons?" 

"They believe Dr. Harrington has lost control of the school, and should 
be removed." 

"What was the expression of partons regarding sending their sons back 
to school?" 

"They vi^ould not return their boys under Dr. Harrington. 

"Why?" 

"They do not believe that the students can do good work under the 
present conditions." 

It was explained that there were six hundred patrons of the Agricultural 
and Mechanical College last winter, which had now dwindled to three 
hundred and seventy-five. 

"Have you any grievance against Dr. Harrington personal in its nature 
that you would like this board to hear?" asked Judge Scott. 

"I have a boy to educate. My son called my attention to the matter 
of the maintenance fund." 

Mr. Furneaux explained that he had believed Dr. Harrington would re- 
sign or the board would remove him before summer. 

"Could you, as a father, return your boy to school. Dr. Harrington re- 
maining?" asked Mr. Summers. 

"I could not." 

"So you endorse the action of the boys in striking?" 

"I don't see what else they could do. I do indorse it." 

"How about the class oath?" asked Judge Scott. 

"As to the action of the boys, yes." 

J. H. Jennings was called. He is from Martindale, Texas, and a patron 
of the school. He had been at College at the time of the strike and said 
that the President and the students were not, and have not been, in harmony. 

"What is the general condition as far as harmony is concerned?" asked 
Mr. Sunamers. 
, "Badly broken." 

"Would you send your son back?" 

"He couldn't get the good out of attending this school. It seems that the 
doctor has lost his influence over the boys. That places the school in a bad 
condition in the future." 

"Do you know whether or not President Harrington is to blame for 
the lack of discipline?" asked Judge Scott. 

"I do not." 

In regard to hazing, Mr. Jennings said that he agreed with President 
Harrington in lecturing the boys, but should not have been so harsh in his 
language. 

"We've all been boys," he explained. 

George Brundette of Dallas was the first witness called at the afternoon 
session. His son was a graduate, receiving his diploma at the last com- 
mencement. 

He declared that there seemed to be no respect for President Harrington 
among either students or patrons. Mr. Brundette said that he would not 
send another of his boys to the Agricultural and Mechanical College until 
the situation was changed. His son, who had graduated, had explained that 
the boys did not like the way Prof. Harrington had treated them. 

In regard to hazing, he upheld the President in denouncing the prac- 
tice, but did not endorse the way it was done because of the effect the 
words had on the lads. 

The witness had never communicated with either the President or the 
Board upon the subject. The conclusion was held that affairs had gone too 
far to permit of another course than that adopted by the patrons' associa- 
tion — the removal of the executive head of the school. 



X06 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Paul D. Casey, a graduate, described conditions at the College from the 
view point of the boys, declaring that harmony did not exist. 

On cross examination it was stated that the cadets were unalterably op- 
posed to President Harrington. 

"Haven't you been active in keeping this spirit alive?" asked Judge 
Scott. 

"I have not been idle." 

"Were you determined, in connection with others, to force the president 
out." 

"Yes, I believe that is the only solution of the problem of how to im- 
prove conditions. Other men are better fitted for the place." 

The witness told of the President visiting his room one night some time 
ago. Another cadet was present. The next day the witness was reported for 
not giving the name of the cadet visiting in his room. An explanation in 
writing was submitted by the witness. Mr. Casey declared that the president 
did not ask the name of the visiting boy and had looked at him when in 
the room. The explanation had been received coldly. President Harrington 
was said by the witness to be distant in demeanor, stinging in his remarks, 
and out of harmony with the boys. The student directly criticised the. 
head of the institution. The witness recounted the events of the strike. He 
declared that if the Board of Directors had not entirely disregarded" the 
petition of the students there would have been no strike. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 11. 

W. H. Furneaux ("Jack") of Dallas, was the first witness called to the 
stand. He is president of the Junior Class. On direct examination by 
Hatton Sumners, MJ-. Furneaux testified that the feeling and mutual regard 
existing between President Harrington and the members of the Junior Class 
were otherwise than cordial, and kindly; that he knew of a great many 
cases where the boys did not think they had been treated with very much 
respect; that the President's attitude when he met the boys on the campus 
was cold; and he appeared not to care whether he spoke to them or not. 
Mr. Furneaux testified that he had no personal grievance against President 
Harrington, but that under the conditions existing at the College with Prof. 
Harrington as President he did not think it would be a wise expenditure of 
time or money for him to return as a student another year, and that that 
feeling was very general. 

Cross-examined by Judge Sam R. Scott, Mr. Furneaux reiterated that he 
had no personal grievance. His father had been in attendance at the in- 
vestigation, but had gone home. The witness had been one of the strikers, 
and when he had gome home on the occasion of the strike had talked a good 
deal with his father. The witness cited as one of the grievances of the 
students the case of Lemmie Jones, about which he had no personal knowl- 
edge, but had been informed that Jones, having been sick in the hospital 
for some time, wanted to go home and handed in his resignation; that a 
student leaving under such circumstances had some part of the maintenance 
fund coming to him, which the witness' information was that Jones had 
trouble in getting, and that when he did get it President Harrington signed 
the resignation and told Jones he was glad to get rid of him. The witness 
was satisfied his information about the Lemmie Jones case was the truth. 

Mr. Furneaux testified to the causes and objects of the strike. He said 
the students had signed a petition to the Board of Directors, which the Di- 
rectors do not recognize it at all, but turned it down and never said any- 
thing to the boys, and thereupon the only way the boys knew to get the Di- 
rectors to recognize their petition was to go on a strike. 

"The purpose of the strike was this," said the witness. "We had pe- 
titioned the Board of Directors to remove the President, and had given sev- 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 107 

eral reasons, and it was pretty serious as far as the boys were concerned, but 
the Board of Directors did not look on it that way, I guess, and turned the 
petition down and never said a word to anyone, and the boys certainly 
thought they ought to be recognized and went on a strike. We did not know 
what we would accomplish by the strike. We thought as long as we were 
going to a school of this kind and could not get recognized at all that there 
were plenty of other good schools we could go to." 

Judge Scott asked what the alternative was to prevent the students from 
quitting the school. The witness said: "We wanted the President removed. 
I would not say we wanted to break up the school if the President was not 
removed, but we were going somewhere else to school, and I guess if all 
the boys had left the result would have been to have broken up the school." 

When the strike was started the witness expected all the boys to leave 
the school. He said he knew when the boys went into the strike it was in a 
way open defiance of the constituted authorities of the College, and pressed 
on that proposition by Judge Scott he said he guessed it was ouright de- 
fiance. 

"You meant you were going to run this institution instead of the Board 
of Directors? It had to be run as you wanted it run or it was not going 
to be run at all?" questioned Judge Scott. 

"We did not have that in our minds at all," said the witness. 

"Wasn't that the effect of what you proposed to do?" 

"It might have been, but we did not have anything like that in our minds 
at all. All we wanted was a square deal." 

After the strike the witness said the Board gave the students a hearing. 
He was not present at the hearing, but his information was, and his be- 
lief, based on his information, was that the hearing granted by the board 
had not been fair and impartial. He said he did not know, however, of any 
circumstances that the students could have offered the Board which they 
were not permitted to offer. "All I know," said the witness, "is that the 
boys were not satisfied with the trial at all; they did not think they had a 
fair trial, and I was not satisfied, simply because the boys said it was not 
fair." 

The witness reiterated that not having been present at the hearing he 
could only speak from the information that had been given him by the 
class representatives who were present. He said he had been told that a 
representative of the students got up after the hearing and thanked the Board 
for the fair and impartial manner in which they had considered the stu- 
dents' demands and expressed perfect satisfaction, but the witness could not 
tell why that had been done. 

"Isn't the sole reason why you are not satisfied with the hearing because 
they did not remove President Harrington?" asked Judge Scott. 

"No, sir; I would not say that." 

"That is one reason, isn't it?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Can you give any other reason?" 

"Well, no, sir; I don't guess I can." 

Mr. Furneaux said that when the strike was declared the Faculty sent 
for the class leaders and asked them to give the reasons why they wanted 
President Harrington removed, and they refused to give any reasons; that 
this action was taken because the students had already taken the matter 
up with the Board of Directors, whom they looked upon as the proper au- 
thority to pass on the matter. 

Judge Scott inquired about the witness' participation in some hazing 
episodes, and the witness said: "When I was a Sophomore I strapped a few 
men. I just struck them a few times with a belt. It was all in fun, and 
I was treated in the same way when I was a Freshy." 



108 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Judge Scott wanted to know whether the boys who were subjected to 
the hazing submitted without being tied down and the witness said: 

"Boys, as a rule, who come to this place know what to do when the 
boys come in to haze them, and they got down over a table," the answer 
creating considerable merriment, which was increased when the judge 
asked: "Which side up?" and the witness answered: "Bottom side up," the 
chairman having to rap for order. The witness said he had been the 
man who handled the lash on some few hazing occasions; that he knew 
hazing was against the rules of the Faculty, but the boys did it for the 
fun they got out of it, and for the good it would do the new boys who gen- 
erally wanted to run the school, and he had never known a student to be 
hurt. 

Mr. Furneaux said he went to the foot-ball game in Dallas, and that in 
his judgment it was a cause of complaint against President Harrington 
because he tried to have the train come back from Dallas at 9 o'clock in- 
stead of midnight. The witness also went to Austin, and he said he had a 
grievance against the President because of' the handling of the trains on 
that occasion. 

The witness said he did not know of a single student having been 
coerced into the strike. 

"Do you know of a single, solitary one member of the student body out- 
side of the Lemmie Jones circumstance that you mentioned awhile ago, 
who has any cause personal to himself to complain at the authorities?" the 
witness was asked. 

"Let me see," he answered. "No, sir; I can not recall him right now. 
There are some, though." 

Mr. Furneaux being excused Mr. Sumners said that he desired to inquire 
if a record had been kept relative to certain moneys of the maintenance fund 
being returned by order of the Board. 

Judge Leggett stated that no record had been made of it, but that some 
member of the Board could make a statement concerning such order. 

Mr. Peteet suggested that Mr. Leggett make the statement. 

Judge Scott — It could be prepared in writing and filed later. 

Judge Leggett then said he would state it briefly. He said it had been 
shown to the Board at a former sitting that owing to the epidemic of 
typhoid fever, commencing on May 20, 1907, the Faculty decided to dispense 
with commencement exercises. The President at that time was danger- 
ously sick and was not conferred with relative to such action. The main- 
tenance fund paid in by each student is the one in question. The school 
closed ten days before the end of the scheduled term. The President was 
sick some time after the close of school and did not attend to business until 
the middle or latter part of the summer. That the President was in doubt 
as to what disposition to make of the unused maintenance fund and refused 
to act without action by the Board of Directors. And that owing to the 
sickness of himself and family and other pressing matters, overlooked pre- 
senting the matter to the board. That several complaints or requests had 
been made for the return of the unused fund and the Board ordered it 
refunded because the school closed before the fixed time. It was only the 
unused portion returned. 

Mr. Peteet — I would add that no person profited by the retention of the 
money during the time in question, as it was in the College treasury. 

Judge Rowell — And it was never in the President's control, nor subject to 
the order of the President, as it was in the treasury of the College. 

Judge Leggett — Mr. Peteet's statement covers it entirely. 

Judge Scott — But is it a fact that the money was not subject to the 
order of the President? 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 109 

Judge Leggett — The President doubted his authority in the matter, which 
was his reason for waiting for some action to be taken by the Board in 
regard to disposing of tliis unused portion. 

Then Capt. Andrew Moses, U. S. A., was sworn as a witness. He was 
detailed by the War Department as professor of military science and tactics, 
and also served as commandant of cadets. He had entire charge of the mili- 
tary instruction of the student body under the President of the College, as 
executive head of the institution. The military rules required the boys 
to live in barracks, or dormitories, quartered by companies, seated in mess 
hall by companies and march by companies. They are under military disci- 
pline on the campus, and with the exception of the Senior privates, were 
under his immediate supervision at drills three times weekly, also while in 
the dormitories and mess hall. 

Mr. Sumners — What is the general standing of the men in the corps as to 
decency and gentlemanly conduct? 

Capt. Moses — From my personal knowledge and contact with the stu- 
dents I found them on the whole to be a splendid lot of young men, who, 
I believe, intend to do right with the light before them. 

He then answered that it had never been difficult to enfore his rules; 
that by an appeal to the reason, sense of self-respect and duty to the in- 
stitution they had supported him in good order and discipline. That at 
some times they have not agreed with him as to the best course to follow, 
which was especially true as to the strike, he said, but that their normal 
behavior was excellent except the refusal to attend classes during the strike, 
and that all of the cadets understood his position on that point. 

Answering Judge Scott, Capt. Moses said thai the commandant was in- 
mediately responsible to the President for the discipline of the corps while 
on the grounds and while off the grounds, if offenses were discovered. 

"Does failure to attend classes come under your supervision?" 

"All reports of absences and delinquencies are reported to the command- 
ant and demerits entered, according to the rules." 

"Is it part of your duty to see that cadets attend classes?" 

"I deem it part of my duty to know of absences. When absences are 
reported to me by instructors two days are allowed for the student to 
make explanation of such absence. If he fails to do so within that time it 
is understood that he acquiesces in a willful absence, and demerits are 
charged accordingly." 

"In case of continual absences, is a report made to the President?" 

"In breaches of discipline report is made to the President and to the 
Dean, and such reports are referred to the discipline committee and then 
to the Faculty, who determine what punishment shall be meted. The Presi- 
dent does not decide the punishment. The Faculty committee on discipline 
is composed of Profs. Alvord, Fermier and Commandant Moses." 

"What is the punishment for willful violations of discipline?" 

"Graded demerits up to ten, and when that number is exceeded it goes 
to the Faculty." 

"No, but what can the Faculty impose as a penalty?' 

"Each case is decided upon its merits, and no mandatory dismissal is 
provided. A number of offenses are subject to dismissal, but the pun- 
ishment is optional with the Faculty. The circumstances usually govern 
each case." 

"But a deliberate violation on part of a cadet?" 

"The regulations would authorize dismissal." 

Capt. Moses was asked as to the number of Faculty members, and said 
there were about twenty. He said he was present at the strike of the stu- 
dents and went before a portion of them. 

"I understood that some members of the Senior Class felt that they could 
not stay at the school and intended returning to their homes. I asked the 



no ■ HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

members of the Senior Class to meet me, and they did so in a section 
room. I urged them to make no mistake, but to perform their duties and 
stand by the institution; that full justice would be given them in any griev- 
ance they might have. I talked thus to them the night before the strike, 
and had no further communication with them before the strike. I was never 
more surprised in my life than when I found the cadets on a strike the 
next morning." 

"Yes, the strike might be said to be in direct violation of my recommen- 
dation," was an answer to a question by Judge Scott. 

Capt. Moses testified that in his talk to the Senior Class he had pointed 
out how foolish it would be for them to leave the school only three months 
before the close and just when their College careers were to be consummated 
by the reception of their cherished degrees, and assured them that they 
would be given fair treatment. He said he had conferred with Cadet Major 
Standifer and Senior Class President Beesley previous to his talk, and re- 
quested the meeting through them. He also stated that he had talked with 
and advised the cadets at different times, and that some talked with him 
in confidence. 

Judge Scott — Who gave you the first intimation of the prospective strike? 
Mr. Sumners — I would suggest that Capt. Moses be not required to di- 
vulge what was communicated to him in confidence, as that matter has been 
considered favorably by the board on yesterday. 

Judge Leggett — Such confidences will be protected, as agreed yesterday, 
when it was mentioned, and Capt. Moses is not expected to violate any 
confidence. 

Judge Scott — Can you tell me who first informed you that there might 
be trouble? 

Capt. Moses — I was told by President Harrington that a petition had 
been handed in to the Board of Directors by the Senior Class requesting his 
removal. That was the first intimation I had that there would be trouble. 
That was in the morning of the day I talked with the Senior Class. After 
that I saw Cadets Standifer and Beesley, as above stated. 

"I learned of the strike at 7:45 a. m., fifteen minutes before first call. 
I went at once to the President's office and saw the Dean, who deplored the 
situation. I then went to the President's residence, where I discussed the 
matter with Dr. Harrington. A committee of three, Cadets Adams, Dale and 
another whom I can not just now recall, informed me of the action taken 
in deciding not to attend class. I told them that I would like to talk with 
them — ^that is, the class or whole corps — if they thought I could do any 
good or accomplish something. Their answer was that it would be useless, 
as they were determined in the matter and would not go back to class." 

His impression was that the strike started February 6th and continued 
five or six days, the reply or report of the Board having been read to the 
Senior Class on February 13th, after which a large number of students 
left. He thought the school resumed normal about March 1st. 

The commandant said he reported the facts to the President and subse- 
quently talked with many members of the Senior Class, believing the under 
classmen recognized them as spokesmen.^. He said he had gone before the 
Senior Class and told them to return to their duties, otherwise they would 
be regarded as hostiles without the walls and could not be treated with. 
Thereafter the Senior Class committee saw the Board and the class returned 
to work the next morning. 

"You thought the situation controlled by the Senior Class?" 

"I believed it absolutely the afternoon I went before them, but I learned 
subsequently that such was not the case, as the three under classes could 
not be controlled by the upper classmen. I really thought I was addressing 
the whole corps at the time." He said he had had nothing to do with the 
former investigation and had not been a witness. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. HI 

Mr. Sumners — What was the character of discipline during the strike? 

"Excellent. The conduct was above reproach, except they would not at 
tend classes." 

"Were there any violent demonstrations or overt acts?" 

"There was a parade started the night before the strike while I was 
talking to the Senior Class. The under classmen were parading with 
brooms, and when I addressed the head of the procession telling them it 
was improper, etc., all disappeared and returned to their quarters." 

"Did you hear it said that militia was to be sent to the College at the 
time of the strike?" 

"I did not hear it mentioned by anybody and do not know that it was 
discussed by President Harrington or others at the College." 

"What was the attendance this session, at stated periods?" 

"On the first morning report, made October 1, 1907, a total of five hundred 
and eighty-three students were on the rolls, on February 13, 1908, there 
were five hundred and fifteen, which was the last day of the strike; on 
March 1st, there were three hundred and eighty-three; on March 14th, four 
hundred and fourteen, and at commencement about three hundred and sev- 
enty-five, the numbers varying slightly owing to some going and others 
leaving." 

Judge Scott — You have examined last year's attendance sheets and know 
the relative comparison? 

Capt. Moses — I have looked at it, but can not remember the figures, but 
up to the corresponding period in question the attendance was about one 
hundred less. There is usually a less number at the close than at the open- 
ing and during the middle of the term. 

Mr. Sumners — Was the difference at the close comparatively greater last 
commencement than that of a year ago?" 

"Yes." 

Judge Rowell of the Board then asked as to rules or customs in other 
colleges about the contact of students and President, whether it was per- 
sonal or not. 

Capt. Moses answered that he could only tell about that at the United 
States Military Academy at West Point; that there the cadets saw the com- 
mandant directly and rarely had personal communication with the super- 
intendent of the academy, who occupies the same relative position as the 
President of the Agricultural and Mechanical College. 

Continuing, Judge Rowell asked: 

"Were there any regulations governing the publication of unauthorized 
or offensive publications in the College paper?" 

"I am not familiar with them, but understand that there is such a rule. 
In the Agricultural and Mechanical College such a rule is to be found in 
the rules and regulations governing the students." (A red-bound booklet 
was handed him.) On page 51 he read paragraph 13 of regulation 7, which 
defines certain offenses as misdemeanors and punishable in different ways. 
Paragraph 13 read, in effect, that the publishing or causing to be published 
any newspaper article without the consent of the Faculty or President con- 
stitutes a violation of rule 7. 

Capt. Moses did not think that all offenses under rule 7 were punish- 
able by dismissal, but that they were punished according to the gravity 
of offense, though he was inclined to think it less than dismissal, but said 
it was purely a matter of interpretation and that had not interpreted it 
absolutely; that the Faculty could do it, but did not know if it had ever 
done so. 

Judge Rowell — Could a dismissal occur for unauthorized publication 
under the rules read? 

"Per se, no, unless some other offense was involved." He added that 



112 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

there was no fixed punishment which, therefore, would permit each Faculty 
member to vote for the punishment he saw proper. 

"Do you know of any rule requiring publications in the College Bat- 
talion to be submitted the Faculty?" 

"Yes," from the minutes of the meetings." ■ 

"Do you know whether it was enforced this session?" 

"It was not enforced this session so far as I know, and I had heard 
that it was not." 

"Whose duty is it to take notice of such unauthorized publications and re- 
port same to the Faculty?" 

"Had I felt that I was the only member of the Faculty who knew of 
such objectionable article I would report it to the President." 

"If an article is censored and published and found objectionable no pun- 
ishment can be inflicted," he said in reply to a question. 

Judge Scott — Under article 7 there is no specific punishment prescribed; 
therefore could not anything from reprimand to dismissal be inflicted? 

Capt. Moses — No, because another rule prescribes what offenses are sub- 
ject to dismissal, and as rule 7 mentions a number of minor offenses, it 
would be absurd to think they would be subject to dismissal. 

Judge Scott — I see the point — it is right. 

Judge Scott — But is it not the publication of an article attacking the 
President of the College a grave offense? 

"It is, most assuredly." 

"What is the difference between suspension and dismissal?" 

"I understand that under an agreement with the State University, and 
possibly with other state institutions, a student dismissed at any of these 
schools will not be accepted at the others, but a suspended student may 
attend other colleges." (The seven Juniors of the Battalion staff were 
suspended.) 

Mr. Sumners — Has the rule for censoring the College publications been 
enforced? 

"Of my own knowledge I do not know." 

Judge Rowell — Does the United States Military Academy have rules regu- 
lating publications similar to this College? 

"I am not prepared to say. It has been a long time since I was there, 
but I believe there is, but am not willing to say what regulations or what 
punishment prevails at West Point for such offense." 

"What would have happened at West Point if students had refused to at- 
tend class?" 

"The cadets would have been charged and tried by court martial for will- 
ful disobedience of orders." 

This concluded Capt. Moses' testimony. 

Harrington's First Witness. 

Charles H. Alvord was the next witness. He was assistant professor of 
agriculture at the Agricultural and Mechanical College from Sept. 15, 1899, 
to June 15, 1902, when he left on other business and returned to the College 
March 26, 1907, as professor of agriculture. He had been acquainted with 
President Harrington since 1899, at which time the President was professor 
of chemistry, and was connected with the chemical work at the experiment 
station. The witness said, in answer to questions by Judge Scott: 

"What I know of Prof. Harrington's work in that position was gained 
from an intimate relation with the students who were working under him, 
and I remember that it was considered at that time that a man who took 
work in the chemical department was certain to get good instruction, and 
looked upon that work as some of the most valuable work he could get in 
the school. I know the work was held up to a very high standard, and the 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 113 

Seniors, especially, considered that their work over there was of great im- 
portance to them. I remember particularly some of the boys in my classes 
speaking about the work they were getting in the chemical department." 

"I never heard," continued the witness, "of any trouble between President 
Harrington and the students until the morning of the strike. I opened my 
class-room door and took my place at the desk, but no one appeared. I 
stepped out in the hall, and one of the instructors told me, "There is nothing 
doing this morning,' and further told me that the students had agreed not to 
attend classes until the Board had reconvened and granted their petition. I 
met one of the Seniors in the hall and asked him what the trouble was, but 
I could get no answer from him or any other Senior as to what the trouble 
was. 

"As soon as the trouble arose I considered it my duty as a member of 
the Faculty to try to get the boys to stay by their work, and I talked with a 
number of them, not to coerce them in any way, but to show them, if possi- 
ble, the fallacy of the position they were assuming. I talked with a number 
of them from time to time, and I remember distinctly one of them who was 
working for me during the strike, whom I talked with kindly and entreated 
him to tell me what the trouble was, and I could not get anything out of him 
except that he could not stay at the College, and the fellow would choke and 
burst out crying. Apparently he was wrought up to such a pitch that he 
had lost control of his emotions. He had no personal grievance against Presi- 
dent Harrington that he would state to me. None of them ever gave me any 
reason for the action they were taking except that the Board did not grant 
their petition. I have asked them, 'What have you got personally against 
the man you are so bitter against?' and it was always some one else that had 
been aggrieved." 

"I will ask you to state whether or not," said Judge Scott, "you found the 
condition existing from your investigation among these students that there 
was a portion of them who were not in sympathy with this move, but were 
taking the course they did by reason of an obligation which they had taken, 
which was in the nature of a coercion?" 

"I am inclined to think that is true, not particularly from what they told 
me, but from my observation. When the Faculty gave the ultimatum that 
the students must attend their classes or be suspended I noticed there were 
a good many boys standing around the doorway of the dormitory, and if a 
man started out with his books they shouted 'piker' at him, and it would 
require a boy of a good deal of will power to go out of the dormitory with 
his books in his hand and attend class, and there were very few who did, but 
I noticed in every doorway there were a number of men standing around." 

The witness said that when the strike was started the Faculty did every- 
thing in its power to ascertain the seat of the trouble, but no attempt was 
made to prefer any charges against students or handle them for the things 
they were doing. "We did all we could with the men personally," the wit- 
ness stated, "to get them to stay here, but the movement had grown so strong 
at that time that it could not possibly be stopped, and they went home." 

Judge Scott asked Prof. Alvord about his observation of the conduct of 
President Harrington. The witness replied: "I have not been any closer to 
Prof. Harrington than any other member of the Faculty, but in the regular 
routine of work I had business in his office, and I have been there when 
cadets came into present petitions for furloughs, and I never saw anything 
that gave them cause for grievance as far as President Harrington's demeanor 
was concerned. Boys would come in and he would speak with them about 
their work and ask how they were getting along, and invite them to come 
back again, and I never could see any reason for any chilly feeling. I have 
not observed any difference between Prof. Harrington's conduct during the 
last session and his conduct formerly." 



114 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Judge Scott then questioned Prof. Alvord categorically about the allega- 
tions of charge No. 13, made by the committee of the alumni. 

"Is it a fact or not in your judgment that 'the President of the Agricul- 
tural and Mechanical College has lost the respect of the student body?' " 

"I think it is not a fact." 

"And does not possess their confidence? 

"I presume there are some men in the corps of cadets who have separated 
themselves from his influence voluntarily, but I do not think he has separated 
himself from them when they are in their proper sphere." 

"That there is a bitter enmity between them and him, and discord, strife 
and discontent prevail.' What do you say about that to the Board?" 

"I think there are some cadets here who have an enmity toward the 
President, but I have not seen anything to indicate anything but the utmost 
forbearance on his part toward the cadets, as long as they were within their 
proper sphere." 

"Do you know of any unkind feeling between the instructors and the 
President such as would render him unfit to discharge his duties?" 

"No, sir; I think the President of the College has treated every one with 
the utmost consideration, and has been especially attentive in a number of 
instances to the welfare of different departments in the College." 

Judge Scott then took up the methods of discipline in the College. The 
witness testified: 

"As I understand it, the regulation of the student body and the regulation 
of the College academic affairs is vested in the Faculty. I think the Faculty 
is responsible for the enforcement of the rules and regulations of the institu- 
tion." 

"If the rules and regulations are properly enforced," questioned Judge 
Scott, "tell the Board whether or not in your judgment the school can be 
continued in its normal condition with Prof. Harrington as its President." 

"I see no reason why it should not." 

"In your judgment, can it?" persisted Judge Scott. 

"It can; yes, sir." 

"And in your judgment, will it?" 

"If men will do as they say they will do, this trouble will never occur 
again." 

The witness said he had never observed any disposition on the part of 
President Harrington to be dictatorial, but had found him otherwise. As a 
member of the Faculty he had submitted propositions which he wanted to 
carry through to the President, and had always found him ready to discuss 
them with him. The witness said, however, that he had known of some 
cases of dissatisfaction with the President's work. "I looked upon that," 
the witness said, "that the man was a little petulant because he had not 
gotten something that he wanted for his department, and felt a little bit 
aggrieved about it, but I always looked upon that as a natural sequence of a 
man not getting what he wanted. It has occurred with me several times 
that I have had propositions that I wanted to carry through and I have not 
succeeded in doing so, but there was no occasion for my getting mad or 
surly about it." 

The witness said he knew Nathan Powell, who had previously been chap- 
lain of the College and also professor of modern languages. Prof. Powell is 
not now connected with the College, but the witness did not know the cause 
for his retirement. The witness said Prof. Powell had been a little bit put 
out about some movement he had on hand to purchase a pipe organ for the 
assembly hall, and claimed to have a grievance because the pipe organ was 
not purchased, but the witness did not know exactly what the circumstances 
of the grievance were. 

The witness said he knew Prof. E. C. Green, who had formerly been con- 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 115 

nected with the College, but is now connected with the United States Depart- 
ment of Agriculture and stationed at Brownsville. 

Judge Scott then made a statement to the Board that he wished to prove 
that the witness Alvord had heard read a letter purporting to have been 
written by Prof. Nathan Powell to Prof. Green bearing upon the removal of 
Prof. Harrington from the presidency of the College, and then he wished the 
witness to state his recollection of said letter. Judge Scott explained that 
he asked permission to take this course at this time because of the intention 
of Prof. Alvord to leave for Panama today, and that Prof. Green had been 
wired td send the original letter to the Board; if the letter should be forth- 
coming, then Judge Scott would ask that Prof. Alvord's statement of its con- 
tents be stricken from the record and the letter itself inserted. Some differ- 
ence of opinion developed among the members of the Board as to the pro- 
priety of this procedure. Mr. Hatton Sumners having objected to it, and the 
matter went over for discussion in executive session at the noon recess. 

Prof. Alvord was then examined concerning the return of the students 
after the strike, and the discipline maintained since that time. He said: 

"My understanding was when these boys were taken back they were 
taken back on an individual pledge that they agreed to support the discipline 
of the College. I was in the dean's oflBce when they came back, and he read 
the pledge from the book, and each one answered for himself. My under- 
standing was that we were to take them at their word and give them all the 
freedom they deserved, and even more, because we had each man on his in- 
dividual honor, and a great many different things were passed over by the 
Faculty with the full knowledge of what was going on and for the purpose 
of continuing things without any outbreak until school was out, but each 
time the thing was passed over it seemed to be worse, and finally the matter 
was brought to a focus by the bringing of the staff of the Battalion before 
the discipline committee on a charge of publishing articles which were of- 
fensive to the Board." 

Witness was further interrogated by Director Rowell as to the publication 
in the Battalion, which article reflected upon President Harrington. He 
said the article was considered a misdemeanor under the rules and also an 
infraction of the individual pledges given by the students at the time they 
returned to work after the strike. 

He was asked by Mr. Sumners if any of the members of the Faculty in 
voting upon this question were guilty of disloyalty. He answered that he 
accorded to every one of them the same freedom of thought that he claimed 
for himself. It was a question of judgment and discretion as to what punish- 
ment they ought to inflict upon the offending students. 

Director Rowell here took up the memorial of the alumni and questioned 
the witness as to the charges which the alumni presented upon its respon- 
sibility. He said he had never observed that President Harrington was high- 
tempered, domineering or offensive to a majority of the Faculty. If mem- 
bers of the Faculty were not in touch with him then it was due to their own 
conduct. He had heard it intimated that some of them were out of touch 
-with the President, but give positive assurance that only two members of 
the Faculty were fighting him. He knew of no instructor or professor hav- 
ing left the College because they could not yield to Harrington's wishes ex- 
cept at the sacrifice of the College's good. 

Witness was then questioned about the meeting of the faculty which con- 
sidered the objectionable article published in the Battalion. He was asked 
when and for what purpose Dr. Harrington had left the chair. He said 
President Harrington left the chair because some members of the Faculty 
liad suggested the grave possible consequences which might ensue from the 
action they might take, and Prof. Harrington took the floor and said that he 
liad a letter from the Board expressing the desire that the matter should be 
investigated and that the guilty persons might be adequately punished. He 



116 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

said the Faculty had been considering the possibility of the boys striking 
again if the Faculty should punish some of their number. 

Adjournment until 2 p. m. 

Prof. Alvord was recalled in the afternoon and Mr. Sumners asked him a 
number of questions about his college career to show that the crime of haz- 
ing, charged up to some of the cadet witnesses, was practiced generally in 
American colleges, and at those attended by Mr. Alvord. The latter said he 
had been a student at the Michigan Agricultural College and two others; 
that they had rules against hazing, but nevertheless it was practiced there. 
He said he had never been hazed because he had entered the Junior Class, 
though the Sophomores did interview him one afternoon. He said that the 
extent to which it is carried and the element of viciousness in it was what 
caused its condemnation, though otherwise it was not so bad. 

Editor Holloway of the Battalion. 

T. E. Holloway of Dallas, just graduated, was the next witness. He had 
been editor of the College paper, the Battalion, in 190G-07 and last fall, and 
since then had been an editorial writer on it. 

Mr. Sumners — Have you ever discussed any editorial in it with Dr. Har- 
rington? 

"Yes. He called me up and spoke to me about something last fall." 

"Do you know the feeling between the student body and Prof. Harring- 
ton?" 

"Yes. It is one of dislike and disrespect, I think." 

"What was the article in question?" 

"I'll read it. It was published Oct. 10, 1906." Mr. Holloway then pro- 
ceeded to read it, it being reproduced from the Uplift Number of World's 
Work, and was most laudatory of Dr. D. P. Houston, President of the Uni- 
versity of Texas, former President of the Agricultural and Mechanical Col- 
lege, and of Dr. Edward Alderman, President of the University of Virginia, 
giving them high rank as educators. 

"What did Prof. Harrington say about the article?" 

"He said it contained false statements." 

"In what way did he talk to you?" 

"In a cold, gruff manner." 

"What effect did it have on you?" 

"It made me mad at the time, and I said little in reply." 

"Did Prof. Harrington make any other criticism of it?" 

"He did by stating that if the Battalion was to be run that way it would 
do the College no good and that a man of average intelligence and informa- 
tion would not do it." 

Cross-examined by Judge Scott the witness said that he had no personal 
grievance against Prof. Harrington other than the one he had named. Dr. 
Harrington was never discourteous to him except at the time mentioned, and 
he had never been discourteous to Dr. Harrington. He did not personally 
know of any disrespect shown by the student body toward Dr. Harrington 
or of any personal disrespect shown by Dr. Harrington to any of the students, 
except when he was talking to them upon the subject of hazing, when he 
spoke in a cold, gruff manner. It developed upon further questioning that 
witness had reference to a talk which Dr. Harrington made upon that sub- 
ject in 1905, and he said he was not present when Dr. Harrington lectured 
the boys upon the same subject last fall. He admitted that it was well 
known as early as 1905 that Dr. Harrington was very much opposed to haz- 
ing, but he denied that hazing had been going on "just the same." He said 
there was very little hazing in the session of 1906-07, only some isolated cases, 
but in the session just closed hazing took place frequently. Witness had 
never taken any part in hazing. He was pressed to say that he knew it 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 117 

wouldn't be well for him to do so; also that if he had reported such viola- 
tion of rules and defiance of discipline to the President or Faculty, he would 
have been punished by ostracism. He said he did not know that such was the 
case, but admitted that ostracism was the punishment visited upon a boy 
who had been hazed and made complaint of it. 

Concerning the investigation made in February last, witness said that he 
had presented to the Board the grievances, which he had told of here, and 
there was nothing to prevent his giving the Board any other information 
he might have possessed. 

At this juncture Judge Scott handed the witness a newspaper, calling his 
attention to a certain article, which he said had been forbidden publication 
in the College paper, the Battallion. Witness said he understood it was got- 
ten up by the Sophomores, and he was present when Prof. Fountain threw it 
out for publication in the Battallion. 

"Did you afterward have something to do with it, or a part of it?" he 
was asked. 

"Do I have to answer that question?" 

Chairman Leggett — Yes, sir. 

The witness repeated his question to Mr. Sumners, counsel for the Alumni, 
who said it would make a bad impression if he did not answer. 

"The- Board has no power to make you answer", said Chairman Leggett, 
"but so far as I am concerned, if you do not answer I think the Board should 
throw out all your testimony." 

The witness then answered: "In regard to Brannin's article, I copied it 
without his knowledge or that of anybody else and got it into the news- 
papers." 

Brannin, he explained, was the editor of the Battallion, and had written 
only a part of the article which had been referred to. 

The witness Holloway said that he got the article that he had copied 
into the papers through a correspondent. He refused to say what correspon- 
dent, but there was an agreement with the correspondent to get the article 
into all the papers, if possible. 

"I thought the article should go before the people," the witness said. "It 
related to the Agricultural and Mechanical College situation and it ought to 
be put before the people so that the people of the State should understand 
the censorship of the press going on at the College and should know what 
the students thought about the same. I indorsed the article and it was true 
in all respects." 

"Was that correspondent a man who was connected with the school in 
any way?" 

The witness appealed to President Leggett to know whether he had to 
answer the question. The ruling was that the Board considered it was a 
question which ought to be answered, but the witness had the privilege of 
refusing to answer. This course the witness took. Thereupon there was a 
conference between the Board and attorneys as to whether the entire state- 
ment of the witness should be excluded, and the final decision was that the 
testimony of the witness should remain in the record. Then the witness 
refused to answer the following question propounded by Judge Scott: 

"Is your refusal to testify and answer these questions I put to you based 
on the violation of a confidential relation that you occupy with reference to 
those who are interested in this matter?" and "Do you put it upon that 
ground?" 

"Is it not a fact that there is a compact, agreement or understanding, to 
which you are party, together with others, that you will not divulge the true 
facts of how this matter has been arranged and formulated, and is not that 
the reason why you decline to answer this question?" 

Mr. Sumners said he had information that the witness believed he should 
not answer the question until he had an opportunity to consult with a fellow 



118 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE, 

classman and get his permission to reveal the information asked foi% Judge 
Scott called attention to the fact that the witness had not asked for that 
privilege. 

Prof. Blake Examined. 

The witness was excused temporarily at this juncture in order to examine 
Prof. J. C. Blake, who would be inconvenienced by remaining longer in at- 
tendance upon the investigation. Prof. Blake is professor of chemistry and 
mineralogy and has been such two years. He has become acquainted with 
the existing conditions. On direct examination he said: "I believe there is 
entire discord between President Harrington and the student body. In my 
judgment good work can not be expected in the institution with the present 
body of students, if President Harrington is continued in that position." 

Cross-examined the witness said he had reached his conclusion because of 
the bitterness that has been engendered since the strike. As a member of 
the Faculty he voted originally to suspend the boys who refused to return to 
their studies, and to suspend those who had violated the rule against the 
publication of articles and would have voted in the same way in all other 
matters of discipline if they had been taken up, but they were allowed to 
lapse by the Faculty. 

Prof. Blake was asKed: "Is it not d fact that President Harrington had 
used all the efforts he could that you thought were proper to enforce dis- 
cipline among the students since the strike?" 

He answered: "I will have to give you a conditional answer. I believe 
if he nad done anything more it would have made matters worse instead of 
better. Looking at it that way I voted as I did. I believe that under present 
conditions, the students will not obey the school authorities with Prof. Har- 
rington as President." 

The witness would not say that President Harrington should be removed 
in preference to sending the students away. 

Taking up his personal relations with President Harrington, Prof. Blake 
said that sometimes the President was very pleasant, but at other times 
more morose, but he had never made any demands on Prof. Blake that were 
unreasonable, and the witness did not know of his own knowledge of any 
unreasonable demand on any other member of the Faculty. He knew nothing 
of the charge of a murderous assault by Harrington upon a student, nor the 
use of profane and obscene language. As a teacher the witness believed that 
up to the time of the strike affairs at the College were in a normal condition. 
There were two members of the Faculty with whom Harrington had not been 
in touch, these being Prof. Hutson and Dr. Gilbert, but he would not say the 
President did not have the esteem and confidence of the others. There have 
been three or four of the Faculty leave, but the witness did not know that 
Harrington was the cause of their leaving. Prof. Nathan Powell, Prof. Mar- 
shall and Prof. A. A. F. Conrad were remembered by the witness as having 
left the College. 

Harrington on the Defensive. 

As to the charge that President Harrington had used the methods of a 
politician in endeavoring to retain his position, the witness testified that he 
had received the impression that Harrington felt his position was threatened 
and has been more or less on the defensive. He gathered this impression, he 
said, from a sort of guarded manner at times on the part of the President, 
and the witness believed there was some truth in the charge that Harrington 
had been trying to retain his position. 

Prof. Blake knew nothing of the withholding of any portion of the mainte- 
nance fund by the President, nor about his drawing salaries from more than 
one position. He knew nothing of the purchase of intoxicating liquors. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 119 

The witness then testified to the disrespect shown by the students to the 
President, as has been told by others, and that no action has been talven by 
the Faculty because the Board of Directors had readmitted the boys without 
the consent of the Faculty, and as the Board had taken the matter in hand 
they ought to settle it. He did not think that Harrington had done any 
worse in the steps he had taken to maintain discipline than the witness him- 
self had done. 

Mr. HoUoway was recalled to the stand by Mr. Sumners. Judge Scott 
asked him to name the members of the committee to whom the students 
turned over their grievances after the strike. The witness hastened to ask, 
"Do you want the name of the correspondent?" 

Judge Scott told him to wait with that, and the witness then said that the 
alumni committee referred to consisted of Messrs. Law, Tarver and Tabor. 

Judge Scott then said witness might give the name of the man through 
whom he had secured the publication of the article referred to when he was 
upon the stand before and whose name he had previously declined to give. 

Witness said that the man was Mr. Casey, a student at the College, who 
had just graduated. He added that he divulged the name because Mr. Casey 
had given him permission. 

Judge Scott then said that he would take up other questions that the wit- 
ness had declined to answer. He asked if there was not an agreement that 
none of these facts should be disclosed without violating their word. Wit- 
ness replied that there was no such pledge, but that there was an intangible 
understanding which amounted to about the same thing and was binding 
upon all of them. They were to support each other. He said he did not 
understand that they were to decline to give their reasons for the demand 
which they made upon the Board. He admitted that they did refuse to tell 
the Faculty about it, but he declared that this was not the result of an under- 
standing, but because they expected the board to act upon the matter. He 
admitted that the Faculty had a right to demand the reasons for refusing to 
attend classes, and that this was in defiance of constituted authority. 
■ He said that they did not refuse to give the information to the Faculty be- 
cause they wanted to defy authority but wanted the Board to act upon the 
matter. They believed it was unnecessary and would be unprofitable for the 
Faculty to act upon the matter. He said it was not his understanding that 
they were to continue their action until Harrington was removed. He said 
he recognized Dr. Harrington's authority all along and had not broken the 
rule. That was generally true of the other boys, although the hanging of 
the President in effigy would come under a violation of the rules. He said 
he did not take a part in this but witnessed it, and while he did not approve 
of it, he did not express his disapproval. He was asked as to the names of 
the men who had committed this act, whereupon he said he was mistaken, 
that he had not witnessed it but had gotten it confused with the so-called 
dedication of Harrington Hall on April Fool's Day. 

In reply to questions witness said that he had a conversation with Dr. 
Harrington some time after the strike, when Dr. Harrington showed him a 
letter offering $C0 a month and board for a man to be the principal of the 
State Orphans' Home. Dr. Harrington offered to recommend him for the 
position, but the witness had made other arrangements and declined it. 

"How about the coercion of students?" was the next question asked by 
Judge Scott. 

The witness evidently misunderstood the question. He answered: 
"The Seniors had the advice of one person about getting up the petition 
for the removal of President Harrington." 

"Who was that party?" asked Judge Scott, betokening some surprise. 
"I don't know that I am at liberty to give his name," the witness ans- 
wered : 



120 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"I ask you for his name," said Judge Scott. "This is a fair, full and open 
investigation. We want the facts, all the facts, everybody that had anything 
to do with it. You know whether you got that in confidence or not, and I 
ask you to answer that question." 

"I refuse to answer." 

"Was he a student of the College?" 

"No, sir." 

"Was he an instructor?" 

The witness hesitated for a moment and then blurted out the answer: 

"Well, he was an instructor. He occupied a minor position." 

In response to further questions the witness said this man came before 
the Senior Class. They had been informed that the Board at that time was 
conducting an investigation of Dr. Harrington in regard to irregularities in 
College. He had no personal knowledge about the matter. The class as- 
sembled to decide what action they would take in connection with the matter. 
Witness did not know whether the man in question had been sent for to 
advise them, as witness came in after the class had assembled. The man 
advised them to present the petition, which they did present. Witness de- 
clined to say what department this man was connected with. 

"Is there somebody behind you that you do not want to uncover?" 

"May I speak to Mr. Sumners," asked the witness. 

He was given permission to do so, and Mr. Sumners said that it was a 
matter he could not advise him about; that he must consult his own con- 
science and judgment. He suggested that Mr. Holloway might see his in- 
formant as he had in the other case. 

Director Rowell in the chair said that he felt that the Board wanted all 
the facts to come out and that the name ought to be given, but that he had 
no power to compel this to be done. 

In response to questions asked by Director Poteet, witness said that he 
felt bound by an agreement made at that meeting and felt that he had al- 
ready given information that he should not have given. 

Judge Scott addressed the Board. He said he did not feel that in an in- 
vestigation of this kind anything should be kept back. The students had 
demanded a full investigation. There was reason to believe that there was 
an influence behind this entire thing and responsible for it. If those engaged 
in it had gone into an agreement not to disclose the facts and that agreement 
was respected the Board would never get at the truth. The very fact that 
they had entered into such an agreement was in violation of the rules of the 
school. He insisted upon the question being answered. 

Judge Rogan said that the alumni in the memorial they had filed with the 
Board had offered their assistance in bringing out the facts. That memorial 
had been sent broadcast to the press. It had been said that the investiga- 
tion in February was not full and fair. He insisted that this investigation 
should unearth everything. Let it hurt whom it might. It was the duty of 
the alumni committee to tell these witnesses to tell the truth, the whole truth 
and nothing but the truth. 

Mr. Sumners, counsel for the alumni, said his clients had employed him 
to do everything possible for the interest of the College regardless of whom 
it might hurt. And he thought he could speak for the sincerity of the mem- 
bership. He resented what he termed the insinuation that the Alumni As- 
sociation was endeavoring to suppress the truth. 

Judge Rogan disclaimed that he intended any such reflection. Mr. Sum- 
ners said that it might be a misguided notion, but if the witness felt that he 
could not divulge the confidence his notion must be respected. He said the 
boy was the son of a brother lawyer in Dallas, and when he asked for advice 
he felt it his duty to tell him that he must consult his own conscience. 

Director Haidusek said that the witness ought not to be made to answer 
unless he wanted to. This is a free country. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 121 

The chair, Mr. Rowell, repeated what he had said before. He said that he 
was urging that the witness violate a confidence. 

Judge Scott suggested that a precedent might be laid which would render 
the managers of any educational institution powerless to lay bare any con- 
spiracy, but the chair said such is not the case. The Board undoubtedly had 
power to compel the students to testify, but Mr. Holloway was no longer a 
student, having graduated. 

At this juncture the witness asked permission to confer with the Senior 
Class, but just as he was leaving the stand one of his classmates whispered 
to him that he was mistaken about any understanding of secrecy. Young 
Holloway faced the Board with a look of relief upon his face and advised 
that he would answer the question. He said he had gone to the class meet- 
ing on the night in question after it had been in session for some time. After 
he reached there Felix S. Puckett of the farm husbandry department, ad- 
vised them to send their petitions to the Board. He understood that two 
Seniors had just had the petition typewritten and brought it with them. 
Witness did not know whether Mr. Puckett had been sent for, but thought 
he was acting in pursuance of a request. The next day the petition was 
presented to the Board and the next night the agreement to strike was en- 
tered into. 

At this juncture Mr. Sumners said that an entirely new matter has been 
opened up, and he suggested that all students should be excluded from the 
room, as any of them might be called as witnesses. This suggestion was 
acted upon. 

Witness was then questioned about the strike. He said the students had 
two meetings the night before the strike. At the first meeting it was de- 
cided to continue attending classes. Late that night there was another meet- 
ing which witness did not attend, thinking the matter had been settled. 
Witness denied that there was any agreement or understanding to make an 
effort to oust others connected with the College after disposing of President 
Harrington. He was asked if there were any other caucuses or meetings 
where professors and instructors advised the students. In this connection he 
told of the advice which Prof. Alvord and Capt. Moses and Physical Director 
Larsen had given the boys, his testimony upon that subject being a repeti- 
tion of what Messrs. Alvord and Moses had testified. 

Mr. Holloway said: "At the time we went on strike we expected the 
support of Prof. Kyle and Dr. Gilbert. Without having any pledge as to the 
support, from what we knew already we supposed in a general way they 
would support us. We did not have any promise to that effect. When we were 
at the meeting at which Mr. Puckett was present he told us that if President 
Harrington was not put out Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Kyle would be fired at 
once, I think, or at least sooner or later. 

"That was one reason," continued the witness in response to questions 
by Judge Scott, "why we prepared that demand and gave it to the Board at 
that particular time. It was the main reason, I may say, backed up incident- 
ally by these other things. 

"Mr. Puckett did not tell us that we would have the support of Kyle and 
Gilbert, but general rumors game me the impression. The last day of the 
strike when everybody was leaving. Prof. Kyle saw some of us who were in his 
section and told us to come down to his house that night to dinner, as it 
seemed we were all going to leave, and we went down to his house to dinner, 
and he was very much against Prof. Harrington, but he did not say anything 
about his support. In fact, we thought everything was ended at that time, 
and we were all going home and not coming back. We had a general conver- 
sation about the state of affairs and about Prof. Harrington, and we discussed 
the article in the Battallion and the old details." 



122 HISTORY OP THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Praise for Gilbert and the Nurse. 

The witness further testified: "Some weel<;s before the strike the boys 
understood that Dr. Gilbert was to be fired then and to express our opinion 
about it. The Senior Class fixed up some resolutions concerning the work 
that Dr. Gilbert and the nurse had done for the boys during periods of sick- 
ness in the hospital and on the campus, and we took the resolutions down 
to Dr. Gilbert and the nurse, the resolutions being in praise of the work 
they had done, and Dr. Gilbert thanked us. We wanted to publish them in 
the Battallion and the daily papers, but Dr. Gilbert objected and said he 
would not have anything published". 

The witness said the boys believed that Mr. Abney, an instructor 
in the civil engineering department, was in sympathy with the boys, but 
did not know that Abney ever gave them to understand that. 

"Did you understand, Mr. Holloway, whether or not Mr. Puckett, when he 
mentioned Dr. Kyle and Prof .Gilbert to your meeting, was representing them 
in any respect or was kind of speaking for them, or pretending to represent 
them in any capacity." 

"I think he was representing them — at least, representing Prof. Kyle." 

"What did he say that makes you think he was representing Prof. Kyle?" 

"Well, I do not remember exactly what he did say, but I got the impres- 
sion that he came from Prof. Kyle." 

"Do you understand that these gentlemen, who brought these papers, came 
from Prof. Kyle's house?" 

"No, sir." 

"Where did they come from?" 

"I think they were having the petition typewritten." 

Director Walton Peteet then examined the witness and ascertained that 
the meeting at which the petition was prepared was a class meeting, but the 
witnesses did not remember how the men had been called. The Board was 
in session at the time and it was rumored on the campus that they were in- 
vestigating President Harrington. Up to that time it has been the intention 
of the boys by common consent to wait until commencement and then present 
the petition for Harrington's removal, but the rumor that the Board was in- 
vestigating the President and the information brought by Mr. Puckett about 
Kyle and Gilbert caused the petition to be filed at once. 

Mr. Peteet drew out the fact that up to the time the Seniors decided 
to go out on strike there had been no meeting of the Junior Class, but when 
the Seniors reached their decision they notified the Juniors and the Juniors 
followed the Seniors. After the Senior Class resolved to go back to work 
pending an investigation by the Board of Directors, the Seniors tried to get 
the Juniors to go back, but were not successful. 

The witness said that the committee of the class which was appointed to 
prepare the charges reported, "That they had seen members of the Faculty, 
at Director Peteet's suggestion. Prof Hutson and probably Prof. Kyle and Dr. 
Gilbert, but I understand that these members of the Faculty did not act with 
the students. I know Prof. Hutson did not, and I think Gilbert and Kyle did 
not, either. The committee did not report having conferred with any other 
members of the faculty." 

On re-direct examination by Mr. Sumners, Mr. Holloway said that a strike 
was never contemplated till this year, but at the end of the session of 1906-07 
there were rumors that the Senior Class of 1907 would present a petition to 
the board immediately after commencement asking for President Harring- 
ton's removal, and that in 190G-07 the students did not have confidence in the 
President. When the petition was circulated for the President's removal 
there was no difficulty getting signatures and the willingness to sign the 
petition had existed before. Mr. Puckett never made any talk to the students. 
The witness did not mean to say that Kyle and Gilbert precipitated the strike. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 123 

but that the strike was precipitated by the knowledge that they would be re- 
moved in a short time, and they were popular among the pupils, especially 
Dr. Gilbert, who was better known than Kyle, and nobody knew of any reason 
why he was to be removed except personal differences with Dr. Harrington. 

Witness said that when they signed the petition they believed that the 
Board would remove Harrington and they could save Kyle and Gilbert. After 
the investigation, they concluded that the Board could not under the circum- 
stances, remove the President at that time, but they nevertheless felt it 
should have paid some attention to their petition. Profs. Kyle and Gilbert, 
he said, were members of the Alumni Association. He said that afterward 
they did not enter into any formal agreement to renew the fight upon Har- 
rington, but it never was their intention to drop the fight. Asked if it still 
was their intention to save Kyle and Gilbert, he said that matter was scarcely 
considered at this time. He admitted that the Seniors practically controlled 
the action of the lower classes whenever they desired to do so. 

Adjourned at 6 o'clock until 8 o'clock tonight. 

Letter From Marshall Excluded. 

At the night session Mr. Sumners offered in evidence a letter received 
from Prof. P. R. Marshall, formerly of this College, now of the University of 
Ohio, which, he said, purported to give the reason why Prof. Marshall left 
this College. It was excluded upon the ground that it was entirely a state- 
ment of conclusions. 

Mr. Sumners moved that all of the testimony of the witness Holloway be 
excluded except that which he stated of his own knowledge, and asked that 
the newspapers be instructed not to print same. Just as the chairman ruled 
his motion came too late, Mr. Sumners withdrew the request, saying the mat- 
ter had already gone to the papers. 

Jesse Dale of Chillicothe, just graduated, told of the meeting of the Senior 
Class when the petition to the Board was signed and about Puckett's presence. 
Did not know who wrote the petition and did not care. Had expected such 
action since his Sophomore year. He said the reputation of Holloway for 
truth and veracity was good. He was the first witness excused without 
cross-examination. 

C. M. Evans of Talpa, one of this year's graduating class, testified about 
the signing of the petition to the Board and about Puckett's presence. He 
thought the general feeling of the students was that Harrington was not the 
man they would like to follow, but for himself he had no grievance, and the 
President had done him a good many favors. Holloway's reputation for 
truth and veracity was good. 

E. J. Permier, professor of mechanical engineering, testified at some 
length. His statements were unfavorable to Dr. Harrington. Conditions 
were normal before the strike. There were no outward manifestations of 
disrespect for the President. He did not believe there was an outlook for 
good work with Harrington as President and the present students returned 
here next year. He was asked if the student body compared favorably with 
that of other institutions as to common decency, and he said it did. 

Judge Scott remarked that no issue had been raised upon that point. 
Class work had been good since the strike until the suspension of the Junior 
Battalion staff. Discipline had been fairly well enforced by the Faculty. 

N. H. Brown, professor of physics and electrical engineering, testified that 
the attitude of the students toward President Harrington was antagonistic; 
it had been general since the strike. He did not believe good work could be 
done if the present students should return and Harrington should remain 
President. On cross-examination witness said relations between himself and 
President Harrington had been entirely friendly. Thought he should be 
classed as a supporter of the President. Had at no time discussed the ques- 



124 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

tion of Harrington's removal until after the strike, and then he did not sug- 
gest that he might get the place. Witness said he was president of the 
telephone company at College. Had no difference with any officer of the col- 
lege because of that company. Had as officer of that company sold the Col- 
lege storage battery needed by his department. College treasurer refused to 
pay the company treasurer for same until he could see the President. Then 
he refused outright. He saw the President, who said the battery was no 
doubt needed and worth the price, but he did not want the appearance of it 
being sold for that department by the company in which the witness was in- 
terested. Witness said no meeting of the boys while on strike was held in 
his department. 

Prof. Kyle on Stand. 

Prof. Kyle said he was the same who had been referred to by the witness, 
T. E. Holloway. He first became acquainted with Dr. Harrington when he 
entered Agricultural and Mechanical College as a student in 1897, and for a 
long time their relations had been very close, during his student days, during 
three years at Cornell University and after he returned to Agricultural and 
Mechanical as an instructor and member of the Faculty. Prof. Kyle testified 
that there had been a gradual change in the relations existing between him- 
self and the President, which had been brought about by a great many causes, 
beginning a year or more ago, at the time when J. W. Carson was making 
the race for director of the experiment station, which position the testimony 
shows is held by President Harrington. 

The witness then detailed certain information which had been given to 
him, from which his change in feeling toward Dr. Harrington had begun. 
After listening to the statement the Board ordered it expunged from the 
record, because all the parties making the statements testified about are 
accessible and can be brought before the Board to testify in person. The 
Board allowed the statement to remain in the record, however, that the first 
cause of the change of feeling existing between the witness and Dr. Harring- 
ton was some of the things the witness had heard from J. W. Carson and B. 
Sbisa concerning "grafting" by Harrington. 

Prof. Kyle testified that the relations existing between Dr. Harrington 
and the students were not cordial nor kindly. 

Asked about his stand in the recent troubles the witness said: 

"With the exception of testifying against Prof. Harrington before the 
Board I do not know that I have ever taken any stand against him. I will 
say that there has never been a cross word passed between us, and I have no 
reason to believe that he ever did me a wrong up to the time that the strike 
began. On the other hand, he had my salary increased both years that he 
was President." 

Prof. Kyle said he did not believe there was any probability of cordial, 
kindly and respectful relations becoming established between the President 
and the students, as long as the students, who are now in attendance at the 
College remain here. He did not believe it possible for good work to be done 
another year if any considerable part of the present students return with 
President Harrington remaining at the head of the College. He was asked: 

"Take the students as a whole, how do they compare in point of general 
decency and character and manly traits with other corps of cadets that have 
been here in the years gone by?" 

The witness answered: "I think, and I believe a good many of the 
alumni agree with me, that we have the finest body of young men in the 
College that we have ever had, mentally and morally." 

"Have they, outside of their conduct toward the President, demonstrated 
any unwillingness to submit to discipline and to be governed by proper 
authority — outside of their relations to the President and the conditions 
which have grown out of it?" 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 125 

"Not that I know of," said Prof. Kyle. "I have had a good chance to 
draw them out on that. I have them in outdoor work in the orchards, and 
I have carried them in their classes into the woods, working on pecans and 
hickories, and remained with them the entire day, and I have never had the 
slightest trouble or difficulty with any of them." 

The witness said further that he had never heard any complaint by pro- 
fessors or instructors that there was difficulty in controlling the affection and 
inviting the esteem and regard of this year's students, and that in their 
general demeanor the students had not evidenced any recklessness or lack of 
interest in their future welfare and the weightier problems of life, "not any 
more than any other body of students." 

"What, if anything, did you have to do, directly or indirectly, toward 
causing this strike, or the signing of the petition which led up to the strike?" 
asked Hatton Sumners. 

"I had nothing to do with it." 

"You heard the testimony this afternoon. Did you send anybody to a 
meeting of the Senior Class?" 

"I did not." 

"Did you ever consult with or advise with any of the Seniors prior to the 
strike with regard to any plan to be pursued that might get Prof. Harrington 
out of here?" 

"I did not. On the other hand, I refused to even discuss the matter with 
two Seniors who approached me." 

Prof. Kyle said the Seniors who approached him and who he supposed 
wanted to discuss the situation with him were T. D. McElroy of San Mar- 
cos and Mr. Adams. This occurred on the morning the full board were in 
session and at a time after the petition to remove the President had been 
submitted by the students. 

Prof. Kyle's cross-examination by Judge Sam Scott was brief. He had 
heard a number of the alumni, the witness said, speak highly of the demeanor 
and appearance of the students at the commencement, and had been par- 
ticularly attracted by the favorable expression of J. S. Radford, an attorney 
of Houston, who was supposed to be rather a strong Harrington man. The 
witness had never known of any other body of students going on a tsrike in 
any college because the Board of Directors refused to consider a request 
made by the students. 

Prof. Kyle said that at the time the two students came to talk conditions 
over with him he did not know exactly what the requests contained in the 
petition were, but that he knew the object was to remove the President. 

"You told them you would not allow them to talk to you about it?" asked 
Judge Scott. 

"Yes, sir." 

' 'Is that all you said?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"You did not advise them against their course?" 

"I did not." 

"You knew the demand they were making was to remove the President?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"But on what ground, you did not know?" 

"No, sir." 

"You did not ask them what the ground was?" 

"No, sir." 

"And you are a member of the Faculty?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Why didn't you ask them their reasons. Prof. Kyle?" inquired Judge 
Scott. 

"Because," said the witness, "I thought if I discussed with them the mat- 
ter in any way it would be misconstrued, or if any one should see us, or if 



126 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



the fact should come out that we had been talking together. For that very 
reason I have been very particular." 

"If you had openly and positively instructed them not to do such a thing 
as that there would not have been any danger of misconstruing that, would 
there?" 

"Probably there would not." 

Prof. Kyle said at that time he did not have any reasan to believe that 
Prof. Harrington would oppose him in any way or would undertake to have 
him discharged from the college, and he asked that he be allowed to place in 
the record the fact that some time before the petition he had written a letter 
stating positively that there was no personal difference between himself and 
the President. 

Prof. Kyle also stated that when the troubles arose he did not know that 
he had reason to suspect Dr. Gilbert would be removed by President Harring- 
ton. He knew the President did not have the power of removal except 
through the action of the Board of Directors. The witness knew Mr. Puckett. 
A few days before the first investigation the witness had heard that the 
Senior Class had indorsed the work of Dr. Gilbert and the nurse, and he 
thought it ought to be stopped. The witness said: 

"I went to the Agricultural building and asked Mr. Puckett to go and see 
if he could not stop the publication in the papers of the action by the Seniors 
about the nvirse and Dr. Gilbert, as I did not believe the students had any 
right to take up any matter concerning the Faculty." 





PROF. E. J. KYLE 



DR. JOE GILBERT 



Director Walton Poteet examined Prof. Kyle as follows: 

"You heard an indorsement was being prepared indorsing the work of Dr. 
Gilbert?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"And you sought to have that stopped?" 

"Yes, sir; from going into the newspapers." 

"For what purpose?" 

"Because I thought that it would show that the boys were taking the side 
of Dr. Gilbert." 

"And you did not want that to appear?" 

"No, sir." 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 127 

"What did you do when you heard they were getting up a petition against 
the President?" 

"I did not hear it until it had gone in." 

"That is all," said Mr. Poteet, and then Director Green asked some ques- 
tions: 

"Don't you think as a general proposition that students have a right to 
express their approval of any service to them by resolution?" 

"Yes, I do." 

"Then was your effort in this behalf, to keep those resolutions from being 
printed, a fear that it might accentuate some little trouble that was brewing 
between Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Harrington?.' 

"That was my purpose." 

The hearing was adjourned until the next morning. 

FRIDAY. 

The Board called for Rev. Nathan Powell, and they were informed he 
was gone. 

Mr. Sumners said that he talked to Mr. Powell and found what he under- 
stood to be true that he had been discharged from the Board. He discussed 
his testimony with him and told him he wouldn't be needed. He might have 
understood that he could have gone home. He made up his mind that he 
wouldn't put Mr. Powell on the stand. 

Judge Rowell said that he has a letter written to him by Mr. Powell be- 
fore he left the College. Had been a stranger and only talked to him once. 
This letter, if true, would make him important witness for prosecution. He 
makes damaging charges against President. Powell ought to be here to 
prove them or to prove they are untrue. He had letter and it would be sub- 
mitted to the Board and wouldn't be made public unless the Board so decided. 

Judge Sumners said that letter should be left out of record in all justice 
if the man who wrote it will not testify. 

Judge Rowell moved that Board send a telegram to Mr. Powell at Chap- 
pell Hill requesting him to be present and pay his actual expenses. The 
resolution was passed unanimously. 

Judge Green of Yoakum took the chair. 

One of the Seven Suspended. 

The next witness called was R. F. Miller, member of the Junior Class, of 
New Ulm, Austin County. He was one of the seven on the Battalion staff 
who were suspended and had had a conversation with Prof. Alvord about 
same, as mentioned by Prof. Alvord in his testimony. Recounting the cir- 
cumstances of the conference, he said that while on the way to class he was 
met by the officer of the day and told that Prof. Alvord wanted to see him at 
once at his office, and that upon his arrival there found another gentleman 
present, who retired, whereupon Prof. Alvord closed and locked the 
door, that Prof. Alvord said he was very much interested in his 
education, and that he could clear himself by telling him who wrote 
the objectionable article in the Battalion, and that it would be in con- 
fidence and never divulged. Witness replied that he did not know what to 
say and said little or nothing. Again Prof. Alvord asked him, he said, as- 
suring him that it would be strictly between them, and nobody would ever 
know anything about it, but he was obdurate. About this time the com- 
mandant. Prof. Fermier was telephoned for, and when he arrived the College 
discipline committee was present. Then Prof. Alvord remarked that he 
would now speak as a member of the discipline committee and not privately 
as a few minutes before, and asked who wrote the article, but witness did not 
tell him. 



123 HISTORY OP THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

What is the state of feeling of the students to the President? Is it one of 
cordiality? 

"I would say there is a great deal of dislike and absolutely no cordiality. 
I have been with them all the time and all speak against him." 

Judge Scott asked the question of yesterday relative to the rules requir- 
ing the submission of articles for censor before appearing in the Battalion, 
and Miller stated that it had grown into disuse and had not been in vogue 
for some time. But that when it was followed the articles went to the head 
of the English department, Prof. Fountain, if passed by the cadet editor in 
chief of the Battalion. If turned down by the editor in chief that ended 
them. He said the rule had not been used. 

Judge Scott then took the witness and asked if he had seen an article 
published attacking the President or any member of the Faculty? 

"Possibly in some joking way." 

"But was there any serious reflection cast or insult offered?" 

"No insult was ever intended." 

"Do you know who wrote that article?" 

"Yes." 
"Who wrote it?" 

"That has never come out." 

"Now is the time to tell it." 

"Well, it was Dave Shearer and "Huck" Huckabee. Dave was a first 
sergeant and a prominent member of the Junior Class, while Huckabee, 
whose initials I do not know, was a private." 

"Did you know the article was being prepared?" 

"Yes." 

"Was there any meeting of any kind relative to the preparation of the 
article?" 

"None was called, but the boys talked it over several times, and read and 
approved it before it was published." 

"Were the two young authors selected, or did they act on their own 
motion in writing the article?" 

"They were not exactly selected." 

"But they were commissioned to write it?" 

"Any of us could write articles and submit them." 

"No, but about this particular article I am asking." 

"Well, in a way they were selected." 

"How?" 

"I think they were suggested by some of the boys, and they half-way 
volunteer to do it. They were recognized as the smartest men in their 
class, and it was understood that they would write it." 

"What was the object of the article?" 

"To correct untrue statements which appeared in two prominent state 
newspapers." 

"After the article was prepared, did you meet and approve it?" 

"Only at informal gatherings in the boys' rooms, there having been no 
special meetings. All who saw it approved it, as it was to correct untrue 
statements in the state newspapers. We waited some time for President 
Harrington to correct it, and when he failed to do it, we did. It was only 
to protect ourselves." 

It was developed that the statement in the papers was a reported inter- 
view with President Harrington following the strike, stating that the strike 
was broken and that class work was up to the usual standard, and that every- 
thing had been forgotten. The witness stubbornly stuck to the assertion that 
such a statement reflected on the boys at the College, declaring that no 
work was going on and such statements were all talk. 

Judge Scott — But how could a statement that you were doing standard 
work be a reflection on you? Was it not a compliment? 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 129 

"No, because it was untrue, and the people of Texas were being misled 
into believing that a few boys had been rioting and that it was broken up." 

"You did not like the impression, then, that you had laid down?" 

"Yes, and the general situation." 

"You wanted the public to know that you were still in open rebellion 
against the constituted authorities. 

"Not that exactly, but after the Alumni came here and begged us to go 
back, and succeeded in getting us into line, we did not want it understood 
that we were at all satisfied -with conditions at the College. It was that 
impression that we desired corrected." 

"In other words, that you were still in revolt?" 

"We simply wanted the people to know that we could not do the best or 
standard work under President Harrington." 

"Then you wanted the public to know you were not doing the best work?" 

"Exactly, for the President's statement that we were doing the best work 
was untrue, because we were not." 

"You had to have the public know it?" 

"Yes, so they would know that things were not as they should be." 

Then came testimony relative to the visit of the Houston and Bryan 
Alumni, promising the cadets a full and fair investigation and begging them 
not to go home. Some time was spent on the opinion of the witness that 
the investigation at that time was not full and fair, he insisting that it was 
not, but blamed the Directors for it. His principal grievance was that the 
Board did not wait and see the cadet body after the investigation, but left 
its findings on a piece of paper and departed for their homes one night. 
The next morning, he said, the findings exonerating President Harrington 
were read by Commandant Moses, and that such a method of informing the 
Cadet Corps was unsatisfactory. 

Judge Scott — Was not the investigation full and fair, as you had every 
chance to go before the Directors? 

"No; because the little piece of paper left by the Board did not satisfy 
us." 

"Then why did you not see them?" 

"Because they had gone." 

"But while here?" 

"We did not know what they had done until the notice was read after 
the Directors left." 

Some testimony was adduced as to what was expected of the Board in 
the matter, and the witness strongly insisted that the Board should have 
communicated its findings in person by having the cadets assembled in the 
chapel, as upon other occasions when members have addressed the students; 
that their leaving at night and having the decision read the next day did 
not set well with the students. He asserted that if the Board had called 
the cadets into the chapel and personally treated with them it might have 
turned them a different way and somewhat satisfied the corps. 

"Then you had some notions as to how the institution should be run?" 

"Yes. We thought it not being run properly, and we have a right to our 
opinion. Every man has." 

Judge Scott — What would the result be with discipline in any College if 
the boys go in open defiance of constituted authority to compel the removal 
of the President or some professor? 

Mr. Sumners said he would not object to the question, but simply wanted 
to reserve the right to pursue the same line of questioning later. 

Director Green, presiding, held that the boys were of immature age, were 
pupils and not patrons of the school, hence the question should be eliminated, 
and it was. 

Going back to the Alvord interview, young Miller said he did not tell 



130 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Prof. Alvord nor the discipline committee the name of the author of the 
article, because he was no "tattler." 

After the discipline committee took cognizance of the article it was 
developed and the seven Junior staff members suspended, the Junior 
Class placed itself in entire responsibility and asked for the protection of 
the seven members serving the class on the staff. The witness said he had 
no kick on the suspension, and left the campus as directed, as he could do 
nothing else. He declared that he was under no agreement, personal or 
class obligation not to tell the name of the author of the article. He also tes- 
tified that no outsider was consulted in the preparation and publication of 
the article, but that its authorship and conferences thereon were confined 
exclusively to students and entirely to those in the Junior Class. 

He said he had had two personal grievances against President Harring- 
ton. The first was that he had made an arrangement to do some work for 
Dr. W. R. Clifton of Waco and had obtained his furlough from the command- 
ant and took it to President Harrington for approval. The President did not 
want to grant the furlough at all, and he had to talk for an hour before he 
could get any understanding with the President, and then the President cut 
the furlough a week shorter than the witness was proposing to be gone, 
which was a month. "Harrington," as the witness referred to the President 
without the use of any title, objected to his month's absence from his classes 
and thought he ought to be at his studies. The witness said he had made 
his arrangement to be absent before submitting the matter to the President. 
The witness had secured his parents' permission to absent himself, and Com- 
mandant Moses and the head of his department had granted the furlough. 
The witness considered the action of the President toward him as cause 
for a personal grievance, because the same privilege had been allowed other 
students and he did not see why it should not be allowed him, and also be- 
cause of the "way he talked to me about it." 

Mr. Miller said that after his interview with the President which was so 
unsatisfactory to him he went to the commandant and explained to him that 
he could not be back on the date his furlough run out. "I asked him what 
action I should take if I should not be able to be back, in order to avoid being 
reported for overstaying my furlough, and the commandant said to write 
him and explain the conditions and he would extend my furlough." 

"So you fixed yourself with the commandant before you left?" inquired 
Judge Scott. 

"Yes, sir; I was on the safe side." 

"And you were absolutely disregarding the President's wishes and express 
directions to you at that time, weren't you, Mr. Miller?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"And you knew it?" 

"Yes, sir." 

The other grievance witness Miller complained of was that at Christ- 
mas he wanted to leave to go home on the 3:40 afternoon train, Friday, and 
the President would not let him go until Saturday afternoon, at which time 
the class had been told they could all go. The Saturday afternoon train 
was late, and the witness missed connections at Houston and did not reach 
home until Sunday night, , whereas the Friday train had gone through on 
time and would have put him at home Saturday morning, and thereby he 
lost two days. He was wanted at home to help in his father's store during 
the holiday rush, and he had his examinations completed so that he could 
have gone Friday, although he did not think the class as a whole had com- 
pleted the school work. "It certainly was not agreeable to me," said the wit- 
ness, "to have to stay over." The President's talk was "harsh" and "not 
like some real friend's," and he "not only didn't fix things up, but he didn't 
use the language the commandant did, nor the tone of voice." 

Re-examined by Mr. Sumners, Mr. Miller was asked: 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 131 

"As I understand your testimony with regard to the Board of Directors 
and your explanation, you know now that the Board of Directors could not 
afford to grant you boys' request for the removal of Dr. Harrington? You 
understand that now as you look back over the situation, don't you?" 

"Yes, sir. I see into the matter, I think, pretty well at this time." 

"At that time, though, the fact was that you boys, had made up your 
mind that you didn't want Prof. Harrington? That is the truth about it, 
isn't it?" 

"Yes, sir; that is it, just stating it, straight out. 

"And you think if the Board of Directors had come before you and you 
had been able at that time to have known what you know and realize 
now that the action on the part of the boys would probably have been dif- 
ferent?" 

"Yes; if they had talked to us as a student body." 

"You do not mean to say that you boys, since the opportunity of delib- 
erate judgment on this matter, now think that the Board of Directors treated 
you wrong in not granting your request for the dismissal of Dr. Harring- 
ton?" 

"No, sir." 

The witness did not think there was a better friend of the boys on the 
campus than the commandant, and he had the proper way of going about 
things. The spirit of antagonism toward the President, however, was "more 
the manner than anything else; the general way he goes about it, and the way 
he comes in connection with the boys." 

On recross-examination by Judge Scott the witness admitted that if the 
commandant had advised them not to strike it would not have changed 
their course, notwithstanding the students' regard for his views. 

Director Haidusek asked young Miller if he was not present at the chapel 
when Director Rowell talked to the boys during the session of the board. The 
witness said he was there. 

"Didn't Judge Rowell appeal to you and explain matters as fully as a man 
could explain about your wrong acts in that speech?" asked Mr. Haidusek. 

"Well, he didn't exactly leave the impression with me. I could not talk 
for any of the others." 

Why Juniors Reversed Seniors. 

Then Director Peteet took the witness, and drew out the feeling of the 
Juniors after the Seniors had agreed to call off the strike. At first the Jun- 
iors acquiesced in the action of the Seniors and consented to return to their 
studies, but in a meeting held at 8 o'clock the boys talked it over, and 
two hours later had another meeting and unanimously concluded not to fol- 
low the Seniors back. "There was quite a little bit of discussion about the 
Seniors having cold feet, and we fellows would show them they couldn't 
lead us; that the Juniors as a class resented the Seniors' wanting to take 
us back." 

The witness said another thing that caused the reversal of the Juniors' 
policy was that after discussion of the matter they considered they had made 
a mistake in agreeing to go back. "One of the main reasons was that they 
thought if they went back they would lose out altogether," said the witness. 
Asked by Mr. Peteet to explain what he meant by that, the witness said: 
"We thought we would lose our cause in trying to get the President out." 

Mr. Miller said that the "ironclad oath," as Mr. Peteet called it, which 
the Juniors took not to divulge the proceedings of their meetings, was only 
a motion or pledge to that effect, and not an oath really, and no holding 
up of hands in making it. 

The Juniors designated two of their members to serve on the committee 
which prepared charges against the President, but they were n3t allowed 



132 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

to appear at the trial because the Juniors had not gone Daclc to the classes. 
These two Juniors were Messrs. Gilbert and Leggett. Mr. Gilbert is a brother 
of Dr. Gilbert. 

The witness finally came back and took the obligation which was re- 
quired for reinstatement. As to the discipline before Christmas there had 
been some pranks, the principal one of which was the fixing up of a dummy 
and hanging it out of Gathwright Hall with a ticket on it saying: "Send 
me over the I. & G. N." because the boys had wanted to go home on 
the Houston and Texas Central road, but President Harrington wanted them 
to go by the International and Great Northern. Afterward the President 
let them go on the Houston and Texas Central. The witness denied having 
anything to do with this dummy, as he roomed at another hall. 

Young Mr. Miller on several occasions referred to the President as "Har- 
rington." Judge Green of the Board said he wished in all kindness to sug- 
gest that President Harrington should be referred to by some title, as he 
was President of the institution which the witness was attending as a stu- 
dent. Mr. Sumners said he thought the young man wanted to show the 
proper respect to the President, but overlooked the use of the title, to which 
the witness assented. 

Mr. Miller had not heard that President Harrington was trying to get 
rid of Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Kyle, but had just heard that the President had 
stated "that Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Kyle would leave, as they could not 
agree," and the students had talked about that some after the strike was on. 
The grievance the students had because of Dr. Harrington's interview 
at Austin was that they thought it might keep the public from helping the 
students win their cause. "That was it somewhat," said Mr. Miller, "and 
at the same time some of the parents would feel ashamed of their sons' for- 
getting a cause like that so soon. The students did not want to forget their 
cause. With this Mr. Miller was excused. 

Adams Started the Petition. 

Lem Adams of Buda, member of the Senior Class which graduated this 
year, testified in substance as follows: 

"I started the petition which was presented to the Board in February 
for the removal of President Harrington. We had heard that the Board had 
assembled for the purpose of investigating the President, and it was talked 
around among the students that we should get up a petition asking for the 
President's removal. The President of the Junior Class came to me and 
said he thought it would be best for the Seniors to start the petition, but 
if we did not do so the Juniors would start it. That evening Cadets Warden, 
Skaggs, Tom Adams and myself met in my room. I was asked to write the 
petition, and did draft the introduction. It was decided then that we should 
put in some reasons for the request that the President be removed, and 
Tom Adams wrote these. Mr. Skaggs and I went to Mr. Louwein, who acted 
as stenographer to Dr. Brown of the electrical department, and had him 
make several carbon copies of the peition. In the meantime the class had 
been called to assemble in my room, and was there when we returned. 

"We voted to present the petition. After we had done so, Mr. Puckett 
came in. He is 23 years of age and I am 22. We are from the same town 
and I have known him intimately ever since we were small boys. He is 
taking postgraduate work here and is an instructor in the agricultural de- 
partment. We had voted to present the petition before Mr. Puckett came in. 
He made some statements, but they did not influence our action, because we 
had already decided to present the petition. The petition was then signed. I 
asked Mr. Puckett to present the petition to the Board, but he decided not to 
do so and sent it by the sergeant of the guard. None ot us, so far as I 
know, was influenced in this action by any member of the Faculty. President 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 133 

Harrington does not possess the respect, confidence and esteem of the stu- 
dent body. The antagonism has grown gradually. He was popular during 
the first year of his incumbency of the office of President. Since then I have 
not personally liked him, and I suppose that the sentiment of the corps has 
been against him." 

Upon cross examination by Judge Scott the witness testified: "Louwein, 
who acted as stenographer to Dr. Brown, was on sentinel duty on the night 
we held the meeting and decided to present the petition. Mr. Skaggs engaged 
him, while he was on sentinel duty, to copy the petition on typewriter after 
he should be relieved. Yes; it is a breach of discipline and in violation of 
the rules for anyone to speak to a sentinel while upon duty, or for the 
sentinel to converse with anyone else. I did not see Louwein upon that 
occasion until Mr. Skaggs and I went to Dr. Brown's office. Mr. Skaggs is 
a student in electrical engineering in Dr. Brown's department. I do not 
know that he is engaged by Dr. Brown for any other service. I do not 
know that he is connected with the telephone company's service of which 
Dr. Brown is the head. He may be, but not that I know of. 1 do not re- 
member that our class took some action enjoining secrecy at the meeting 
when we voted to present the petition and signed the same." 

Judge Scott — Why, then, was it necessary for Mr. Holloway upon yes- 
terday to get the consent of the class before he would give information as 
to what was done at that meeting? 

Judge Sumners — There is no proof that it was necessary. 

Judge Scott — ^You suggested that he should obtain such consent. 

Witness said he did not know whether or not it was necessary for Hollo- 
way to have gotten such permission. He said that he didn't know why 
Puckett came to the meeting; whether he had been sent for; how he hai> 
pened to know that a meeting of the Senior Class was being held, nor what 
his mission was. He thought Puckett made a statement to the effect that 
unless President Harrington was removed, that unless the petition should 
be submitted immediately. Dr. Gilbert would probably be discharged. Wit- 
ness knew that Dr. Harrington did not have power to remove Dr. Gilbert, 
but didn't know, but he might have influence with the Board of Directors. 
He said it was not discussed at that meeting that Prof. Kyle was also in- 
volved, but such had been rumored around the campus a few days before 
the strike. 

"Is it not a fact that that was the principal cause, or one of the causes, 
of the strike?" 

"I don't think it was the direct cause of the strike." 

"Wasn't that considered by the students as one of the causes?" 

"That fact probably led — I will say yes to that question." 

Strike Agreement Was Unanimous. 

Director Peteet asked the witness a number of questions as to the time it 
was decided to go on the strike, he answering that it was at the second meet- 
ing of the night following the drawing of the petition. Witness said that at 
the first meeting of the night it was decided not to strike, but two hours 
later the second meeting unanimously decided to go out. 

Prefacing other questions Mr. Peteet asked the witnesss if there was 
any secrecy to be maintained about any of the events incident to the trouble 
and received a negative answer. 

Answering Mr. Peteet further, witness said he did not call the meeting 
which originated the strike, but got there after the cadets were assembled. 
He presided, but somebody else stated the purpose of the meeting upon his 
invitation, but he could not recall who it was. But it was unanimously 
agreed to strike. He replied that he was on the committee which formulated 
the first charges, but could not remember if they were presented to and 
approved by the class before they were filed with the Board of Directors. 



134 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Puckett on the Stand. 

The next witness was Felix S. Puckett, several times mentioned in the 
testimony as having made a statement to the Senior Class when it signed 
the petition. He was 23 years of age, a resident of Buda, Texas, and returned 
to College last fall as student assistant under Prof. Alvord, but later 
Prof. Welborn placed him in charge of the work on the experiment farm 
where he has since worked. He also takes some class work. 

Mr. Sumners asked him to detail his presence at the Senior Class meet- 
ing, how he came to be there and what part he took. Mr. Puckett stated that 
he had a younger brother in College, a member of the Freshman Class, and 
whose room was next to that in which the Senior Class meeting was held on 
the night in question; that he was visiting his brother, when Charles De 
Ware came in looking for McElroy, and they went out together. Hearing 
the noise in the adjoining room they attempted to enter, but found the door 
barred. They knocked and were finally admitted, finding the room filled 
with Seniors. Continuing, he said that he was asked if Dr. Gilbert was to 
be fired, and that he answered he had heard such a rumor that night; that 
it was to the effect that there had been some differences between President 
Harrington and Dr. Gilbert, and that President Harrington had asked for 
Dr. Gilbert's resignation. He had heard this in the barber shop. 

Judge Scott then asked if he made a similar statement or any kind about 
Prof. Kyle, and he said he did not think so. 

"Be sure," urged Judge Scott. 

After waiting a few minutes he said he might have mentioned Prof. 
Kyle's name, but did not recall doing so, for he was there but a very few 
minutes. 

"What time did you learn this information at the barber shop?" 

"Between 7 and 8 o'clock." 

"What time were you at the meeting?" 
"I do not remember exactly, but between 8 and 10." 

"Did you have previous knowledge or suspicion of such a meeting being 
called?" 

"None." 

"Do you know if the students had any outside assistance in the organiza- 
tion of the strike?" 

"I know nothing whatever about it." 

"Did you ever talk to R. J. Potts about it and say that the students did 
have outside assistance." 

"Never." 

He (Potts) had known of the preparation of the petition and that it 
would be presented the next day, but that night had talked about it only to 
Post Graduate Students Hill and Smith, the latter now being a member of 
the Galveston baseball team. 

The next morning he had casually mentioned it to some of the students 
but had informed no officer of the College or member of the Faculty. 

"Why did you not tell some member of the Faculty, Prof. Alvord, your 
superior, being a member of the discipline committee?" 

"Because it was not my business nor my duty. I was also a student." 

"Would you have reported any infraction of the rules to Prof. Alvord?" 

"I would not." 

"Were you in sympathy with the boys in their strike?" 

"Yes." 

"You knew it to be in open defiance of the administration of which you 
were a member?" 

"Yes." 

"You were drawing pay from the institution at that time?" 

"Yes." 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 135 

In conclusion he said he had no other information as to who planned 
the strike or where it was framed and had never made any efforts to find out. 

Warden. 

John M. Warden, a member of the last Senior Class, from McKinney, 
Texas, was sworn. He was one of the committee who drew the petition. It 
was drawn on the Wednesday before the strike, when four or five gathered 
in Cadet Beesley's room. He said they were there discussing conditions at 
the College, with a view of bettering them; also President Harrington and 
members of the Faculty were mentioned. It was there decided to draw the 
petition asking for the dismissal of President Harrington. 

"Did you arrive at that conclusion among yourselves, or were you aided 
by outside advice?" 

"Entirely among ourselves. We had no outside advice." 

The witness said among those present were Lem and Tom Adams, George 
Skags, Nestor, McGinnis and himself. 

Further testifying, Mr. Warden said that there was no difficulty in ob- 
taining signatures to the petition. The only question was who would get 
to sign it first. While they were signing the petition Mr. Puckett knocked 
on the door and was admitted. He wasn't positive, but thought they had 
already voted to sign the petition before Puckett came in. Asked what was 
the state of feeling as between President Harrington and the student body, 
he said he didn't think Dr. Harrington had a friend in the corps. 

Cross examined by Judge Scott, witness said he was in the hearing room 
at one time yesterday, while Mr. Holloway, his classmate, was on the stand. 
The testimony given by the witnesses had been discussed on yesterday and 
today among the members of the Senior and Junior Classes. Some of them 
had been used as witnesses, and others he thought had not been used. He 
said he was present on yesterday when the board requested the students to 
withdraw from the room, as they might be used as witnesses, but not when 
they were told not to discuss the testimony with each other or with other 
persons. 

(As a matter of fact the latter part of the rule was not explained at that 
particular time, although it was so explained upon previous occasions.) 

He said if there was a special meeting last night to discuss the testimony 
of Mr. Holloway, he had not attended it. 

Cross examined as to the meeting between himself, Lem and Tom Adams 
and Mr. Skaggs when the petition was drafted, he said they were discussing 
the men whom they understood that the Board was at that time investi- 
gating, namely. Dr. Gilbert, Prof. Kyle and Mr. Neff, and they decided that it 
was a good time to put in their petition. He could not say that they con; 
sidered that the presentation of the petition would prevent the Board from 
discharging those men, but they felt that if the petitions would do any 
good they wanted it in in time to save those gentlemen. "You might say that 
that was one of the reasons for presenting the petition," said he. 

Witness said that they did not at that meeting decide not to give the 
Board their reasons for asking the removal of the President nor did the 
class ever reach such decision. He further testified that on the Saturday 
morning when the students went on strike a committee from the Senior 
Class met the Faculty and informed them that the students had suspended 
their duties. Afterward the Faculty requested them to send a committee to 
meet with it, and they did so. Yes, they had instructed their committee not 
to give the Faculty committee any of their reasons for asking for the removal 
of President Harrington. The strike had been inaugurated to bring the 
Board back, and they didn't think it would be any good to treat with the 
Faculty. Yes, they knew the Faculty had authority to ask for the informa- 
tion and that it was entitled to it, but they had taken their case to a higher 
court (the Board.) Yes, they had ignored the Faculty. No, he did not con- 



136 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

sider this gross disrespect to the Faculty. It was a breach of discipline, he 
admitted but he did not think it constituted gross disrespect. Witness did 
not go before the Board of Directors when they came back. The Board 
had ignored the petition in so far as the Senior Class was concerned. When 
the Board returned the class did not instruct its committee to refuse to tell 
the Board why they desired Dr. Harrington removed. Witness denied that 
he had said upon direct examination that he had no respect for President 
Harrington. Asked as to what he said, he asked that the stenographer 
should read his answer, but Judge Scott pressed him to answer the question 
now. He repeated that he had not said that he had no respect for President 
Harrington, but had said that in his opinion the President didn't have a 
friend in the corps. 

"Haven't you been a guest at his home since the strike and received the 
hospitality of his home?" 

"I have." 

"In company with another young man?" 

"I have." 

"You went at his invitation?" 

"No; upon the invitation of his wife." 

Getting back at the meeting where the four Seniors prepared the petition 
he said they had discussed the matter of members of the Faculty who had 
left the institution, naming Profs. Bennett, Marshall and Conradi. It was 
generally understood that they had left because they were not in accord 
with President Harrington, and that he had them leave. Asked from whom 
he got his information, he said that in the case of Prof. Marshall he got it 
from a young man who was related to Prof. Marshall. He didn't remember 
from whom he got the information as to the others, but they were members 
of the Senior Class who had worked in the departments of which these pro- 
fessors had been the heads. He did not know that these professors had re- 
signed and were not discharged. 

"Wasn't Prof. Bennett here in the employ of the United States govern- 
ment?" 

"Yes." 

"And don't you now that President Harrington had no authority over 
him?" 

"I don't now that." 

"Do you not know that Prof. Bennett is still in the employ of the gov- 
ernment and at this time is doing work for this College?" 
« "I don't know." 

To Mr. Sumners: "I know that he is not now here and is not in personal 
contact with President Harrington." 

To Mr. Peteet: "When we prepared the petition we did not ask for an in- 
vestigation, but supposed that an investigation would result. We always in- 
tended to formulate charges. I think Nathan Powell was on the grounds two 
days of the strike, but I had no talk with him." 

Chairman Leggett here said that he had been informed that both Judges 
Scott and Sumners had pressing duties at their respective homes and that 
it was urgently necessary for certain members of the Board to go to their 
homes. If there was to be an adjournment this evening until next week, he 
suggested that it be taken at once, so that those who were going north could 
leave on the 12:30 train. This suggestion was acted upon, and the Board at 
12:15 adjourned until 4 o'clock p. m. Wednesday, June 17. The Board 
notified all witnesses that they are still under the rule and must not talk 
about their testimony. 

At the suggestion of Director McGinnis an executive session of the Board 
was called for at 2 o'clock. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 137 

BOARD REOPENS INQUIRY. 
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17. 

The Board did not open inquiry until 5 p. m., as Director Rowell did not 
make his appearance. Later it was learned that sickness in his family de- 
tained him. 

J. S. Wier. 

The first witness placed on the stand was J. S. Wier, who, in response 
to interrogatories from Mr. Sumners, said that he was the professor of 
textile engineering, having been in the school since August, 1904. He stated 
that he knew in a general way the conditions that then existed, that now 
exist and what have existed since he became a member of the Faculty. 

"Do you know the condition that existed," asked Mr. Sumners, "just be- 
fore the commencement exercises? What was that condition with respect 
to the cordial relations that existed between the President and the student 
body?" 

"It was decidedly not friendly. It was strained, very tense." 

"Do you know what was the condition just prior to the strike?" 

"It was not friendly." 

"Do you know any reason for that condition?" 

"I accept the reason that is generally given, that there was an intense 
dislike on the part of the students for the President, but as to why I can not 
say." 

"If there was an objection urged by the students, was it based on specific 
acts or general antipathy created by their contact generally with the presi- 
dent?" 

"From my personal knewledge, I haven't any definite Information, I was 
not in a position to know the reason or the cause for this feeling by the 
students." 

"During the last year did you observe any change In the feeling of the 
students for the President?" 

"Yes, sir; I thought I noticed a tendency toward slight dissatisfaction on 
the part of the students." 

Satisfactory Work Improbable. 

From your knowledge of school affairs, as a school man, what is your 
opinion as to the possibility of there being good work done here next year if 
the present President shall retain his place, and the present student body 
return?" 

"I don't see how it would be possible to conduct satisfactory work." 

"Speaking as a school man, how does this student body compare in point 
of intelligence, earnestness and morality with other school bodies you have 
known?" 

"Most favorably. I have often spoken of these fellows very kindly and 
favorably. Their general conduct has been excellent and they have always 
done most excellent work." 

"Do you know whether or not any of the other professors have had any 
trouble maintaining discipline?" 

"No, sir." 

At this point the witness was turned over to Judge Scott. 

"The young men never undertook before this occasion to run the school, 
did they? asked Judge Scott. 

"Not to my knowledge." 

Questions elicited the information that there were three classes under 
the supervision of the witness. Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors, and that 
the number in the three classes aggregated thirteen students, seven of whom 
were juniors; six failing to report after the strike. 



138 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"When you speak of the students," inquired Judge Scott, "do you refer 
to the entire student body or the small number under your supervision?" 

"I speak of both. Some of the answers referred to the whole and some 
of those under my charge." 

Judge Scott asked which answers referred to the thirteen and which to 
the entire student body, and the witness asked that the questions be read 
again. 

"Well," said Judge Scott, "you said there was ill feeling for some time 
before the strike. Did you refer to the entire student body then or those in 
your charge?" 

"To my classes." 

"You say you had heard some refer to that unrest. Did that refer to the 
entire student body or to those in your classes?" 

The witness was unable to remember his answer, and the particular 
question referred to could not be located. Judge Scott finally asking witness 
to give the names of those he had heard speak of the unrest. 

"There was T. A. Adams," replied the witness. 

"He is one of the leaders in the strike at this time, is he not?" asked 
Judge Scott. 

"I don't know." 

Witness then mentioned P. D. Casey, C. H. Fleming and a student named 
Lipstate as others having made remarks. Asked what was the occasion of 
the remarks, witness replied that it was during a class period and that 
it was concerning a privilege they wanted granted concerning a change in 
study. 

"I suggested that they go and talk the matter over with the President." 

"Was it something they had already asked the President to do or expected 
him to do?" 

"I would judge they had not asked him to grant the request at that time." 

"And you were talking with them about the course to pursue?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Was that the cause of their complaint at that time?" 

"I shouldn't judge so." 

"Did they at that time state to you what the cause was?" 

"Not that I can recall definitely." 

"Did they express themselves to you that they disliked the President?" 

"Not in so many words." 

"Did you draw that inference from what they did say?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Did you discuss the matter with them?" 

"Not exhaustively, no." 
"Did you discuss it at all?" 

"I said I thought they would get fair treatment?" 

"Did they claim to have ever been denied any privilege by the Presi- 
dent?" 

"It seemed to be the general sentiment that their petition would not be 
treated with the consideration they thought it deserved." 

"Did they recite a single circumstance that had ever occurred previous 
to that time as a basis for that conclusion?" 

"I think they did not." 

Questions concerning the exact time of the occurrence drew the opinion 
that it was after Christmas in 1906 and before the spring term of 1907. 

"Did you ever go and discuss the matter with the President?" 

"No." 

"Why didn't you?" 
"I didn't think it was wise." 

"Why not?" 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 139 

"Well I am not an advocate of carrying trouble around. I don't know 
that this condition existed to any great extent. There might have been 
something wrong with these men." 

"Well, isn't it a part of your duty to try and keep harmony between the 
Faculty and individual men?" 

"I think so." 

"Then, did you offer to go with the young men to the President and pre- 
sent the petition and try to create a good feeling if there was any other 
kind of feeling?" 

"I did not." 

"As a matter of fact, professor, you didn't care much?" 

"Certainly I cared." 

"Then if you cared, why didn't you offer to go to the President and of- 
fer to speak to him for them?" 

"I had suggested to them that they pursue that course and if they 
didn't see fit to take it up, I thought it better to let the matter pass over." 

"When was the first time you ever mentioned that fact to anybody and 
to whom?" 

"I couldn't say; I don't remember any first time of having mentioned it." 

"Is today the first time that you have ever mentioned it to anyone?" 

"No, I have mentioned it since then." 

"When did you first discuss it?" 

"I don't remember." 

"Do you remember that you ever spoke to anyone about it?" 

"In a general way, yes. I have not made it a practice to discuss these 
matters. They passed off." 

"Well, when and where did you discuss them? When, to any students, 
professors or members of the Faculty? 

"When did I discuss It first?" 

"At any time." 

"I do not remember." 

"You say you don't see how it would be possible, if the president is re- 
tained here, to do satisfactory work?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Your answer is based on what?" 

"Conditions now extant." 

"To conditions that exist now and that have existed since the strike?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Don't you know that since he strike the Faculty has not enforced dis- 
cipline in this school?" 

"I can't say that it is responsible for the lack of enforcement." 

"But isn't it a fact that they have not been enforced as they should 
have been?" 

"I can't say." 

"Will you say to this Board that the Faculty has endeavored to rigidly 
enforce the rules and laws of the institution?" 

"As far as it was practicable to do so?" 

"As far, you mean, as it was practicable to do so, at the same time keep- 
ing on the good side of the boys?" 

"Well, to do what it ought to do conscientiously." 

"Well, I mean strictly right up to the ?" 

"Yes, that was my answer?" 

"I am not asking a question. You know whether they were enforced as 
they should have been." 

"Answering the question in its liberal sense, I feel the rules have been 
enforced as far as possible." 

"Were the students ever punished for going out on a strike?" 
"They were suspended, yes, sir." 



140 HISTORY OP THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"All of them?" 

"Those who remained out after a certain time." 

"Yet some of them were not dealt with?" 

"No, sir." 

"Not until this day?" 

"No, sir." 

"Professor, isn't it your judgment that these boys, in their undertaking, 
whatever may have been their motive, have had to a certain extent the 
sympathy of the Faculty?" 

"To an extent, yes, sir." 

"Well, to what extent?" 

"Well, while no member of the Faculty ever came to me and said the 
student body has my sympathy, I don't know that I can recall a statement 
of the kind, yet I feel that there was a sympathy in the minds of the Fac- 
ulty i-or the students." 

"Was that sympathy on the part of the Faculty as a whole?" 

"No, as individuals, for individuals make up the whole." 

"Did you share in that sympathy?" 

"In the sense you think." 

"Well, to what extent did you sympathize?" 

"WTell, I deplored the existence of conditions." 

"That was sorrow for the College, wasn't it? I understand you, professor. 
I wanted to know whether or not you entertained any sympathy for these 
young men in going out against constituted authority." 

"No, I did not." 

Further questions by Judge Scott obtained the replies that the witness 
never expressed his approval of the course of the students that he did not 
discuss it, that he didn't take the matter up to effect a reconciliation be- 
tween students and President; that he met Howard Everett Weed during 
his visit here; that Mr. Weed called upon him, but that Mr. Weed never 
said to him that an uprising was about to occur. 

"Didn't he express to you his opinion what would occur?" asked Judge 
Scott. 

"I think not." 

"Let's be sure; didn't he express his opinion to you about what was go- 
ing to occur?" 

"I don't think so." 

"Would you say that he did not?" 

"I said I don't think so." 

Witness then, in response to questions, said that there have been three 
teachers in his department, but that two of them had gone, one of them 
having accepted a position in Mississippi, while the position of the other had 
been abolished. Witness testified that there were these three teachers fot 
about fifteen students. He said he had applied for a raise in salary to the 
President, but had failed to get it. Asked what were the relations of the 
witness and Dr. Brown, the reply was, "Very friendly." 

"Do you or do you not regard him as friendly or unfriendly to the admin- 
istration?" 

"Do you mean in a personal way?" 

"Well, personally, or as a member of the Faculty." 

"As a member of the Faculty he is very loyal; personally, I should say 
they are not very pleasant." 

"Do you know of your personal knowledge what it is based on?" 

"I wouldn't undertake to say." 

"They had a Faculty meeting, did they not, about the time the Juniors 
were suspended?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Did you attend the meeting?" 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 141 

"Yes, sir." 

"Were you there all the time?" 

"Not all the time." 

"Did you leave before it was finished or come in late? 

"I came in late." 

"Before or after the vote was actually taken?" 

"Before." , „ ^. , • .:■ 

"Did you talk to anyone about your going there? Did anyone remind 

you of the meeting?" 

"No one at all." , „ ,^ x- o.. 

"Where were you immediately before you went to the Faculty meeting? 

"I came from the textile building and went to the postoffice, and there 
found a notice of the Faculty meeting in the mail. It was held at 4:30 
o'clock, and it was perhaps 5:15 o'clock when I got the notice." 

"Did you go immediately over?" 

"Did some person remind you of the fact that the Faculty was in session? 
Didn't you say to him that you were in no hurry to go into that meeting. 

"I don't remember any such statement." . , , ., 

Witness testified that he had been in school work since 1893. Asked it 
he did not think that the permitting of students to go unpunished after such 
conduct as these have been guilty of would enable them to break up any 
school or succeed in their object of getting any one member or all of the 
members of the Faculty removed, witness stated that he wouldn't be willing 
to answer the question. , , ., ,, . , ^ 

Mr. Sumners objected to a repetition of the question, but the chair ruled 
that the question could be put. Judge Scott then asked: 

"As a school man of fifteen years' experience, is it not your opinion that 
the boys could break up the school any time they saw fit, or secure the 
removal of any man against whom they held a real or fancied grievance?^^ 

"In my opinion public sentiment would prevent them from succeeding. 

"Would public sentiment prevail when the students had gone into an 
oath not to return to school until the party had been removed?" 

"I couldn't say." , , r ^i, 

"It would either break up the school or mean the removal of the man 
they were after, wouldn't it?" 

"They might break up the school." 

"Don't you know that they would do one of the two?" 

"I don't know that they would." 

"Ahem." . , . . r. • ^ .» 

"There is another possibility that the conditions might be harmonized. 

"How could they be harmonized when the students had taken an oath 
not to go back?" 

"I don't know about that." 

"She would pretty near bust, wouldn't she?" 

"Reckon she would." x^. x xi, t, i 

Judge Scott then asked the witness if he didn't know that the school 
had been growing constantly in attendance since Dr. Harrington had been m 
charge and replied that he believed it had. He also testified that as far 
as he had heard, the course of study had steadily improved. 

On redirect examination, witness said that Prof. Harrington does no 
teaching but it is done by professors and instructors. The idea was to 
show that these latter came more in contact with the students. He did 
not know that President Harrington was responsible for the increased at- 
tendance at the schools. Such increase is ordinarily due largely to the ex- 
students Answering questions, he said the last Legislature had made ap- 
propriations for improvements at the College; that the holding of the 
Farmers' Congress here had attracted much attention to the school, and 



142 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

that the great activity in industrial lines in recent years had created a 
demand for the kind of training given at the institution. Love and re- 
spect, he said, were the greatest factors in the control of a student body. 
He knew of no school controlled by brute force, and he knew of nothing 
which would restore the power of the head of a school who had lost his 
grip upon the situation, whether because of wrongdoing or as a victim of 
circumstances. The President of this College, he said, is responsible under 
the regulations for discipline. He had never known of any official action 
taken to call any member of the Faculty to account for refusing to assist 
the President. 

Mr. Debenport, of Pittsburg, then took the witness. Mr. Debenport made 
a prefatory statement, saying that he represented patrons of the school. He 
said he hoped to appear neither as defender or prosecutor, but as a seeker 
for the truth. In response to questions asked by him, witness said he had 
heard of no dissatisfaction about the trip to Dallas holiday recess, but had 
heard some complaints because of the fact that the students were routed 
to Austin over the Central instead of the International. 

Responsibility for Discipline. 

Judge Scott then took the witness and brought out the fact that President 
Harrington had asked for the appropriations and assisted the Farmers' Con- 
gress. The witness was submitted to a grilling examination as to who is 
responsible for discipline. He insisted that according to the rules the Presi- 
dent was, while Judge Scott sought to show that the same book of rules from 
which witness said he got his information provided for the administration 
of discipline permanently through the commandant, and next through the 
Faculty, the President having but one vote in the Faculty. He denied that 
he had just looked in the book for the rule as to the President and then 
stopped, but said he did not know about the rules referred to. He was asked 
why, if the responsibility rested upon the President, the Faculty was recently 
called together to act upon the case of the seven Juniors charged with pub- 
lishing an article in breach of discipline. He answered that they passed 
upon breaches finally when referred to them. 

Answering Mr. Sumners, witness said the President should not consider 
it an unfriendly act where a member of the Faculty voted his judgment as to 
punishment to be inflicted, even though it was contrary to the president's 
vote. 

Witness was asked pointed questions by Director Peteet as to his ideas 
of his duties with reference to discipline. He said he considered it his duty 
to rei^ort serious breaches not known to others, but did not consider it his 
duty to report those of which there was common knowledge of the authori- 
ties. He did not consider it his duty to report minor breaches, because such 
matter's were handled by the discipline committee. He would report a stu- 
dent leaving without a furlough, but not for appearing in civilian attir«. 
He declared that his influence was for discipline, but he paid no attention 
to the trivial matters.. 

Adjourned until 8:30 p. m. 

A Patron. 

The first witness placed on the stand at the evening session was R. B. 
Shearer of Lufkin, who testified that he was a contractor and builder, that 
he was the father of one of the students; that he came here during com- 
mencement and participated in the patrons' meeting at Bryan. 

He said he did not feel as a parent that it would be a fair and just thing 
to return the students to the College under Dr. Harrington's administration. 
He said the patrons came to the conclusion that the administration and 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 143 

student body were irreparably at loggerheads; that although Dr. Harrington 
was a highly educated and estimable gentleman, the situation had gotten be- 
yond his control. 

Judge Scott took the witness and asked if, at the time the patrons met, 
they knew of any specific charges that had been made or if action had been 
taken wholly on hearsay among the students. After several questions, wit- 
ness said the information had come from the students to the patrons, and 
that he had not called upon any members of the Faculty or the president 
before he met with the patrons or took the action recorded. He said he 
did not know that one of the charges was that Dr. Harrington had wanted 
to change the schedule of a game at Dallas contrary to the wishes of the 
students; that he had routed them over another railroad to Austin than the 
one they had wanted to travel over; that the students had wanted to go to 
a circus at Hearne and had been denied that privilege, and that one of the 
students had asked for a three weeks' furlough and been denied a leave of 
absence that long. Witness referred continually to a "condition which he 
and the patrons found to be extant, a condition that they felt could not be 
eliminated." 

Judge Scott asked the witness if he knew at the time the patrons acted 
that the boys really went on a strike because the Board of Directors had 
failed to act, and not because of any specific act of Dr. Harrington. He 
also asked witness if he knew at the time that the boys felt they would have 
the sympathy and assistance of the Faculty if they went on a strike. Wit- 
ness replied in the negative to both questions. 

"Did you know at the time of the patrons' meeting that the object of these 
young men in getting up a strike was to prevent the Board of Directors from 
discharging Prof. Kyle and Dr. Gilbert?" 

"I did not know that." 

"If you had known these things, would you have taken the same action 
you did?" 

"I would." 

"Do you not feel that if the students succeed in getting the President 
discharged that they can have any man they please discharged in the future 
if he happens not to please them?" 

Witness replied that he did not feel that way about it, and further felt 
that the students would not become aroused in a body unless the transgres- 
sions of the one sought to be removed were wholly unbearable. Witness 
said that he felt things had reached that point where it was either neces- 
sary to fire the student body, retaining the President, of vice versa. This 
statement was made on re-direct examination by Mr. Sumners. Continuing, 
he testified that he knew of no professor or student unwilling to submit 
to reasonable authority. His son had not disobeyed him. 

His son had never claimed the professors had assisted the students in. 
the strike, but that acts of the students were voluntary. Witness said that 
only since the controversy came up had he heard rumors of an attempt by 
President Harrington to shove the responsibility of the unfortunate affair 
off onto other professors in the institution. He believed that the President 
or the boys must suffer, he thought the president should be the one to 
suffer. 

Mr. Debenport received an affirmative answer to the effect that great 
differences grow out of the trivial ones, and then he proceeded to exploit the 
refusal of the President to allow the boys to stay later at Dallas after the 
varsity foot-ball game, asking if it was poor judgment on the part of a man 
in authority to control boys of that age and deprive them of "the pleasures of 
the night." The witness answered in the affirmative, and later said that the 
College authorities should not draw the rein as tight as parents. To Judge 
Scott witness answered that he had never taught school and did not ex- 



144 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

pect the President to give personal attention to five hundred boys. 

Then came a brush between Messrs. Scott and Sumners as to the implica- 
tion of members of the Faculty, Mr. Sumners denying that his witnesses had 
ever made any statement indicating such implication, and asked that the 
record show such denial. 

Again Mr. Debenport asked about the Austin trip, witness answering that 
it looks natural that the boys took umbrage at being forced to go over the 
Central, when they wanted to use the International, and that they thought 
it further "nagging" when the President forced the train to leave earlier than 
was customary, and that it was adding "insult to injury" when he refused lo 
permit them to go home directly after their examinations for the Christmas 
holidays. 

"You would kick at your own father if he treated you that way, wouldn't 
you?" asked Mr. Debenport. 

"I certainly would." 

"But you wouldn't want your daddy removed because he did it, would 
you?" interrupted Judge Scott, and the answer was lost in roars of laughter. 
He also replied to Judge Scott that he assumed as true the statements made 
in the questions of the opposing counsel. 

Prof. F. E. Geisecke. 

F. E. Geisecke, member of the Faculty, was placed on the stand, saying 
he had been a member for twenty-five years, except that he has been absent 
for fifteen months, returning to the College last September. When he went 
away he said the relations between Dr. Harrington and the student body 
were very cordial, but that on his return he noticed a coldness and dissatis- 
faction. He said that after the strike the president was shown no respect 
at all, and that the students did not even salute him. He had never known 
that condition in his twenty-five years of service here. He said he did 
not think it would be possible to do good work next year with Dr. Harring- 
ton at the head. He did not know of his own knowledge what caused the 
feeling against the President. Asked if the president had the warm per- 
sonal regard of the members of the Faculty, witness replied that some of 
the Faculty liked him and others did not, and that his conduct was re- 
sponsible for the failure of some of them to regard him as highly as former- 
ly; that he was somewhat cold. Witness testified to the good character of 
this student body, saying the standard had grown higher each year. 

■ Mr. Sumners asked if it is not easier to control a body of students by good 
will than by force and the reply was in the affirmative. He said that it was 
the best policy to get the support of the upper classmen and their influence 
was powerful in controlling the lower classmen for good. He was later asked 
by Judge Scott if the upper classmen could not control the lower classmen 
for bad if they desired to do so, but witness said that would be hard to do. 

"I; n't it a fact that a few upper classmen can control the entire school 
if they desire to, and isn't it a fact that some of the leaders of the Senior 
Class took a prominent part in the strike, probably influencing the lower 
classmen to act against their will and judgement?" 

"I think the influence of the upper class for good would be far-reaching, 
but I don't think their influence for bad would be so effective. 

"You admit, however, that the upper classmen have a deep influence upon 
the lower classmen?" 

"Yes, sir." 

Judge Scott asked witness if it was not the duty of the Faculty as well as 
the President to promote good feeling and harmony. The reply was aflSrma- 
tive. Asked if the Faculty tried to promote harmony, witness replied that 
Faculty tried to get the students to return to classes Monday morning 
after the strike. Witness later testified that the Board of Directors met and 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 145 

ruled that all students who did not return to classes on Tuesday after the 
strike, at 1 o'clock would be expelled, but that the penalty should be modi- 
fied to suspension. Witness replied in the affirmative. Judge Scott asked if, 
therefore, it was not the desire of the faculty to be less harsh and forceful 
in enforcing the rules of the school than the Board had desired to be. Again 
the reply was affirmative. 

To Judge Scott witness said he could remember no specific instance of 
President Harrington giving offense to students." Witness said to Mr. Sum- 
ners that President Harrington had made no effort to straighten out condi- 
tions; asserted that the President is unfortunate in his manner or method in 
treating with men, young or old .though not meaning any harm, but is just 
temperamentally unfortunate; that there was no definite complaint, but a 
growing feeling of ill-will. 

Answering Mr. Debenport, witness said President Harrington is competent 
intellectually and presides over Faculty meetings fairly, but declined to say 
whether the President is interested in members of the Faculty. Witness 
asserted that there was very little mixing and mingling of the President 
with the Faculty and he had never seen the President mixing with the 
students. 

He believed that former Presidents mixed with the boys much more 
than Prof. Harrington. Witness then explained that the boys do not asso- 
ciate with their teachers very much because of the general belief that in 
such instances the students are seeking favors, adding that that was all 
the more reason the President should be amiable and easily approachable, so 
that the boys would have a sympathizer and friend to go to. And that the 
strike came after the Austin-Dallas and holiday trips. 

Judge Scott sought to specifically show when President Harrington's de- 
meanor changed, witness stating that Prof. Hutson was not treated right 
last Christmas, nor was Prof Mitchell about two or three weeks ago, by 
the President. The only reference to the Hutson incident was that there was 
a case of whooping cough at his house, and Prof. Harrington ordered a strict 
quarantine against the Hutson home. The Mitchell incident was not ex- 
plained, it being agreed that Prof. Mitchell, who is still on the campus, 
would be the best witness to relate what occurred. 

Adjourned until 8 o'clock Thursday morning. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 18. 

When the Investigation Board convened at 8:15 on Thursday morning 
C. B. Campbell, professor of modern languages, was the first witness called 
to the stand. He said he had been here about five years, that he came daily 
in contact with about one hundred and thirty students under him, and said 
that the feeling by the student body for the President was not at all cordial. 
He expressed the opinion on the direct examination by Mr. Sumners, that 
the institution could not do good work next year under President Harring- 
ton's administration. He said the Faculty, when the trouble arose, did every- 
thing that it could to maintain order and enforce discipline. 

Judge Debenport took the witness and undertook to get him to express 
an opinion as to the manner in which men, and especially College heads, 
manifest good feeling toward the students. Witness replied that it was mani- 
fested in the usual manner, by word or smile and in general mingling with 
the students. Judge Debenport asked how a dumb man would manifest good 
will and gain the confidence of the students. Witness replied that it would 
be by smiles and a general friendly demeanor. 

"How should the President cultivate good will among the students?" 

"I should say by attending athletic games and participating in their in- 
stitutions." Witness further testified that he did not feel the President had 
done all that he could have done to maintain the good will of the students; 



146 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

that he was of strong, cold type of men, as distinguished from the warm- 
hearted, friendly men. Counsel asked if it was not necessary many times for 
a college official to make speeches to the boys and the reply was in the 
affirmative. 

Judge Debenport then sought to question the witness as to the change that 
has come over the management of children and the discipline of the house- 
hold of today as compared with twenty years or ten years ago. Judge Leg- 
gett objected to the question, saying it was not necessary to go into such 
foreign ground. Judge Debenport said he desired to show that the manner 
of handling boys had changed and that, whereas Dr. Harrington might have 
been a good leader several years ago, his ideas are antiquated. The objec- 
tion stood on the vote of the Board. 

Judge Scott took the witness and asked if Commandant Moses was not 
the chairman of the discipline committee. After several indirect answers he 
said such was the case. He said, on question, that he did not include the 
Faculty in the statement that President Harrington's administration would 
•not be good for the school. In reply to the question had the Faculty done 
anything to restore order, witness said it had done nothing except what the 
Board had ordered; that it had done nothing of moment on its own initia- 
tive. 

"New sessions are made up, in part at least, of new students, are they 
not?" asked Judge Scott. 

"No, sir." 

"If the Faculty should attempt to enforce discipline next year and the stu- 
dents should abide by the rules, would there be any friction?" Mr. Sumners 
objected to the question, saying that anyone would know that if the rules 
were obeyed there would be discipline and order. The objection was over- 
ruled. 

"There would be a grave doubt," replied the witness. 

"What makes the doubt if the rules were obeyed?" 

"Do you know of anything on the part of President Harrington during the 
entire time that you have been here that would justify the complaint of the 
students?" 

"I know of only one case, I believe, and that was over the matter of 
supplying a room to a physical director." 

"Is that the only one?" 

"The only one so far as I know personally." 

Witness was then asked to explain that instance, and replied that last 
summer, during the absence of President Harrington, and when the Dean was 
acting president, arrangements had been made to employ a physical director, 
that the Board was to pay him $900, the athletic department and students 
to pay him $400, and that the acting President agreed that he should be fur- 
nished a room free of charge. Witness said he was in Chicago at the time 
and recommended a man there who was going to get married. His name 
was Larson. It was understood and agreed by the authorities through the 
Dean that his marriage would make no difference, although parties unmar- 
ried were usually given preference owing to crowded conditions at the Col- 
lege. When he arrived, according to witness. President Harrington had re- 
turned and he was not furnished a room. He had to rent one. 

"Did you go to the Dean?" 

"Yes, I went to him, as did other instructors, and he said he would 
see the President and see if the room could not be furnished as promised." 

"Did you feel that there were sufficient grounds for complaint?" 

"I felt that as the room had been promised it should be supplied." 

Asked if he went to the President, witness replied that he did not; that he 
left it for men who stood closer to the President than he did. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 147 

"You did not fail to go because you thought that the president would 
refuse your request?" 

"I didn't feel at first that he would refuse it, but after others had gone 
to him, I felt different about it." 

"Do you know whether or not President Harrington was advised of the 
contract before it was made?" 

"I can't say as to that." 

"Had you in mind any room when the contract was made and was there 
a room available so far as you knew?" 

"No, sir." 

Judge Scott then asked witness the duty of the Dean, and the reply was 
that he relieved the President of many of the routine duties, that he signed 
furloughs and relieved the President of quite a few affairs that previous to 
that time brought him in contact with the students. 

Mr. Sumners asked if it wasn't true that the Dean was supposed to relieve 
the President of a great many of the duties that he had formerly been 
-called upon to discharge. The reply was in the affirmative. Asked as to 
the character of the last year's work in his department, witness said that it 
had not been of a standard as high as formerly. He said as much ground had 
been covered as in former years, but that the percentage was not as high. 

"Is it essential to the maintenance of this school," asked Judge Scott, 
taking the witness, "that the boys who have been in open defiance of this 
school should return here at all?" 

"It seems to me it would be very costly if they did not." 

"Don't you think you can fill the school without them?" 

"No, sir." 

"That is your deliberate judgment?" 

"Yes, sir." 

Mr. Sumners took the witness: "Is it not a fact that most of the new 
students go into the Freshman Class?" 

"Yes, sir, with the exception of a few Sophomores." 

"You have teachers here, have you not, who have been here for years?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"What effect would it have on the College and on the State if for three 
years this school failed to turn out graduates?" 

"It seems to me that it would be a setback, giving some of the other in- 
stitutions in other states the advantage of this one." 

"Have you ever heard the fact that the Shirley Hotel here has a tendency 
that is bad upon the institution generally?" 

"No, I have not." 

Witness said the hotel was built and owned by persons primarily for the 
accommodation of such as had no families. It had paid one dividend of 5 
per cent in two years. 

"Would it not be a calamity to dismiss the pupils?" 

"Undoubtedly." 

"Which, in your mind, would be the greatest calamity, dismissing the 
students or the president. 

Mr. Sumners objected to the question, saying that the witness and Dr. 
Harrington might be associated together next year, and that such questions 
were very embarrassing and should not be propounded. Judge Legett sus- 
tained the objection. 

Mr. Peteet wanted to know if Mr. Larson ever got the room. Witness 
stated that it was finally placed at his disposal in November. He was as- 
signed to it by President Harrington. 

Prof. J. C. Nagle. 
The next witness was J. C. Nagle, head of the department of civil engi- 



148 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

neering, and for eighteen years connected with the College. Necessarily he 
is acquainted with the student corps and believed it compared very favorably 
with any preceding it for decency, study and discipline. He had seen no 
evidences of obstreperousness or unwilling spirit, but called them a splendid 
set of young men. 

Mr. Sumners — Is the feeling of the student body toward President Har- 
rington one of confidence, esteem and kindly? 

"It is not, but prior to the strike I knew of no strained feeling at all." 

Prof. Nagle testified that before the strike he had not seen any evidences 
of a strained relation and had known of none, and that he knew of no mem- 
ber of the Faculty who had aided or encouraged the strike. Witness further 
said that the Faculty expects the President, as executive officer, to take the 
lead in shaping the policies of the College and in matters of importance in 
the institution. 

"Is there anything he has undertaken to improve conditions that the 
Faculty has failed to render him its support and assistance?" 

"A majority of the faculty has always sustained him in his undertakings, 
although personally I disagreed with him on one occasion, and every man 
reserves the right to exercise his own judgment in casting his votes in Fac- 
ulty meetings." 

Mr. Sumners was desirous of showing that President Harrington had been 
absent from a large number of Faculty meetings since the strike, which was 
agreed to by witnesses, but it was thought best to have the Faculty secre- 
tary, Prof. Spence, look over the minutes and see the exact number of ab- 
sences. 

"You know the feeling of the student body and the conditions over the 
State generally, hence I will ask you what is the possibility of doing normal 
work in the school next session?" 

"With the temper of the present corps prevailing I would say that no 
very harmonious work can be done." 

The witness said he had known of nothing being done since the strike to 
harmonize the feeling between President Harrington and the student body, 
and that while things were quiet and not active, he thought the same feeling 
exists, but is dormant. He had never known of similar conditions existing 
at any other school with which he had been acquainted, and believed that 
school methods and experience shows that the most effective way to deal with 
the young men is to appeal to their better side and treat them as other men 
are treated, and they would respond accordingly. He had always found, with 
some few exceptions, that students stand ready to meet you in the spirit In 
which they are approached. 

Mr. Debenport then took the witness and plied questions as to President 
Harrington attending student meetings, rallies, etc., and Prof. Nagle replied 
that he did not know if the President went to such places, as he (the wit- 
ness) did not attend them himself, not having time to do so, but he had seen 
President Harrington frequently at the general meetings. 

Asked about the action of the boys generally he replied: 

"Up to the time of the strike I thought I knew boys pretty well, but since 
then I concluded I did not." 

New Boys With Prejudices. 

"You know that the press dispatches have informed the whole State of 
this proceeding and the events at the College during the trouble, and in view 
of this condition don't you think that the new boys coming next year, even 
if all the old boys remained at home, would come with a feeling of preju- 
dice?" 

"A few germs soon spread the disease generally," was the reply. 

Mr. Debenport then asked for an expression of opinion of the President's 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. - 149 

ability as an executive officer and disciplinarian, and the witness said that 
he would prefer not answering the question, that he preferred to be askeu 
for facts, and Director Mclnnis, acting chairman, ruled it out. 

Judge Scott then cross-examined the witness, eliciting the fact that he 
had never been instructor in any other college except the University Sum- 
mer School, hence had no opportunty of observing the conduct in other col- 
leges. He said the strike was a great surprise to him. 

"Have you ever noticed any change in the attitude of the President 
toward the institution in the management of its affairs?" 

"There has been absolutely no interference in my department, which has 
been permitted to run smoothly and satisfactorily, I could not answer as to 
the other departments, but have heard some rumors." He was not asked 
about the rumors. 

"Have you noticed any change in the President's attitude toward the 
students during the two years preceding the strike?" 

"None. I have seen the President among the students very little." 

"Have you seen anything done by the President to restore order and pre- 
serve discipline?" 

"Nothing." 

It was the opinion of the witness that the President should have done 
something to attempt to reconcile the students, but admitted that it was ex- 
tremely difficult for members of the Faculty to get close to the students at 
the time of the strike and that it would have beeij even more so for the 
President to have attempted it. He said the President did call upon the 
Faculty to assist in restoring order and discipline and that witness had re- 
sponded to the best of his ability. 

"What in your judgment would have been the result if the President had 
taken the active initiative in having the boys punished after the strike for 
.their conduct during it; would it not have aggravated the situation rather 
than alleviate it?" 

"We wouldn't have had any students here." 

Mr. Sumners asked: "Do you know if the President entertained that idea 
of the situation?" 

"I cannot answer as to that." 

"You do not know that such a fear by President Harrington prevented 
him from enforcing discipline and thus cause the boys to leave, do you?" 

"I don't know." 

Picking up the red book, the rules and regulations governing the College, 
Mr. Sumners asked the question: "Is it not a fact that these rules have not 
been enforced since the strike?" 

"That has been the current report, but I have seen no breaches except 
the strike." 

"Prof. Alvord of the discipline committee testified that professors had 
seen breaches of the rules, and I want to know if you have known of Presi- 
dent Harrington having the offenders punished?" 

"Only the seven Juniors who were on the Battalion staff." 

Witness then testified as to those in authority losing control of situations 
and efforts to regain same, stating that the recent experience in the College 
was novel to him and he did not know what effects would come. 

"Do you know," asked Mr. Sumners, "whether or not there is any consider- 
able feeling of unrest here on the part of any considerable number of the 
Faculty?" 

"There must necessarily be a feeling of unrest when conditions are as 
they are now." 

"Is it possible for members of the Faculty to do their best toward mem- 
bers of the student body when these conditions exist?" 

"Certainly not, if they permit the matters to weigh upon their minds; 
personally, I try to keep it down." 



150 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Mr. Sumners started to ask another question, then laughed and said ue 
would not ask it as it was too psychological. The witness thanked him and 
Mr. Sumners again laughed, saying he was about to ask if it was possible 
for members of the Faculty to keep such matters from weighing upon their 
minds. There was a general laugh. 

"The Board of Directors didn't indicate the kind of punishment to be as- 
sessed at that meeting you'referred to awhile ago, did it?" asked Mr. Sumners. 

"They merely issued orders to mete out summary and adequate punish- 
ment." 

"You considered that to be left to the judgment of the Faculty, did you 
not?" 

"Yes, sir." 

Prof. O. M. Ball. 

The next witness placed on the stand was O. M. Ball, professor of botany 
and State botanist of Texas. He had been at the school five years. He said 
the students had a lack of esteem for the President and asserted that unrest 
certainly had to exist among the members of the Faculty under the condi- 
tions that had existed. 

"Can anything like good work be expected at this school," asked Mr. 
Sumners, "if President Harrington is here again next year?" 

"If any considerable number of the students here during the past year re- 
turn next year, I don't see how there can be good work." 

"Do you know of any members of the Faculty that had "any part in in- 
stigating this strike?" 

"I do not." 

"Did any members of the Faculty that you know of try to get the students 
to come back and restore order?" 

"Yes, sir; Prof. Kyle and Dr. Gilbert tried to get them to come back." 

"What was their attitude?" 

"They deprecated the tenor of conditions here and so expressed them- 
selves to me." 

"Since the inception of the strike, do you know anything that President 
Harrington has done to restore normal conditions?" 

"I don't know of anything with the exception of the action regarding the 
seven Juniors." 

"Do you think it is indispensable in the control of students to keep in 
touch with them, to go to their games, and to make speeches to them occa- 
sionally?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Has the President endeavored to do that?" 

"I don't think so." 

Cold and Austere. 

Mr. Debenport then went into a psychological discussion as to the im- 
pression that a man makes upon another, asking witness whether when he 
first met a man he did not size him up as a warm-hearted or a cold man. He 
finally got from the witness the opinion that Dr. Harrington was cold and 
austere. Mr. Debenport asked, in view of the fact that dissatisfaction has 
existed, if it wouldn't present itself in the future, even if the students were 
changed. Judge Green objected strenuously to this question, saying that it 
was an utterly unreasonable invasion of the realms of psychology. The wit- 
ness was then excused and the committee recessed ten minutes, as the next 
witness was not ready. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 151 

Prof. "Bob" Smith. 

R. F. Smith, associate professor of mathematics, and for twenty-six years 
connected with the College, was sworn and asked the usual question as to 
his observation of the feeling of the students toward the President, whether 
it was one of esteem, confidence and respect. 

Director Haidusek immediately interrupted with this statement, which 
caused looks of surprise: "I object to that question, because it has been 
asked of every witness who has been on the stand, and the facts therein 
established in our minds, and it should not be repeatedly asked after having 
been gone over so elaborately." 

Quite a commotion was made both in the audience and Board and Mr. 
Sumners was on his feet instantly, stating: "All right. We think if it is 
conceded that that fact is established, as we think it is, it is unnecessary to 
continue that line of questioning, and we tender the witness to the Board to 
show that good work can not be done next session under President Harring- 
ton because of this feeling of the students." 

Director Mclnnis, presiding, ruled that cumulative testimony was entire- 
ly permissible. 

Mr. Sumners^If the Board will concede that condition of feeling firmly 
established, further questions along that line are unnecessary. 

Director Mclnnis — The Board can consider nothing proven at this time. 

Then both Messrs. Legett and Mclnnis urged Mr. Sumners to go ahead 
with his line of questioning. 

The original question was repeated and Prof. Smith answered that the 
feeling was not one of accord, not so much of disrespect, but, in his mind, 
one of dislike. 

"Is it mild or deep-seated and apparently fixed?" 

"Well, it looks as though it was fixed." 

"Have you ever seen such a condition exist here before before during 
your twenty-five years of service?" 

"No." 

"Is it your opinion that normal work can be done here next session with 
President Harrington in authority?" 

"I really cannot answer that question." 

Judge Scott then cross-examined the witness, asking him how long he 
had observed the feeling of dislike. 

"I think it of recent origin, but can not say just when. But in justice 
to President Harrington, I will say that his first year as President was one 
of accord, but that since then it has gradually changed, first by occassional 
conversational reference, and then open talk. It became marked last session, 
and grew more intense as time passed. I had even heard last summer that 
a petition asking for President Harrington's removal had been prepared in 
May of last year, but can hot recall who told mfe of it. I heard it last sum- 
mer some time." 

Witness said his personal and official relations with the President were 
pleasant, .and that he could recall no serious trouble in the past history of 
the school. When asked if he remembered the trouble led by a student 
named E. J. Smith in 1888, he said he did not. He said there was no Presi- 
dent then, and that the chairman of the Faculty died that year. 

Mr. Debenport brought out that the feeling between the President and 
most of the Faculty was affable, and that it has been more natural than 
otherwise for previous Presidents of the College to be affable to the students; 
that it was not necessary for them to strive to show affability. 

The old question of mutuality was threshed out, and finally stopped by 
Director Mclnnis, presiding, because of its length and repetition. 

Mr. Sumners then said he had run out of witnesses and that he would 
suggest a conference of attorneys to see if they could not agree on a lot of 



152 HISTORY OP THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

cumulative testimony he had to offer, and thus save time, adding that he be- 
lieved that the charge of the Alumni Association had been abundantly 
proven." 

Judge Scott said such a conference would be entirely agreeable, as he 
would like to know when the other side would finish its testimony, in order 
that he might have some idea as to his own time. 

Director Haidusek interrupted to say that he would continue to "butt in," 
and that he could be put down as an objector from that time on. 

Judge Scott said that he expected to get at the bottom of the charges 
pending; that he came into the investigation late, and discovered that the 
charges, save one, had been filed after an anonymous fashion, no one ap- 
parently standing for them. He said he would insist that these charges be 
expunged from the record, unless somebody fathered them and unless some- 
body got behind them and stood for them. It was agreed that the matter 
could be taken up later. 

Mr. Sumners said that he had in mind the calling of a witness from a 
distance to testify concerning the charge that President Harrington had at 
one time made a murderous assault upon a student with a shotgun, using 
profane and obscene language. He desired to have a ruling on the advisi- 
bility of this testimony before sending for the witness. Judge Haidusek 
said he would move not to admit such testimony. Mr. Sumners suggested 
that it was a matter which the Board should go into and listen to argument 
upon. This feature went over. Mr. Sumners suggested that he would co- 
operate as far as possible to make the investigation short, and that, although 
he didn't mind spending the summer here, he wanted to be at home during 
the Christmas holidays. Mr. Peteet moved recess of tne Board until 2 p. m., 
which carried. 

Rev. Powell Examined. 

When the committee reconvened at 2 p. m. Rev. Nathan Powell was placed 
on the stand at the suggestion of Judge Legett, who asked that, inasmuch as 
Mr. Powell had to leave on a train, the counsel take up his examination. 
Judge Scott informed him that after his departure last Thursday night, 
when it was desired that he go on the stand, some remarks had been made 
concerning conversations he was said to have had with members of the 
Faculty. Judge Scott asked Mr. Powell to explain why he had departed 
Thursday night without giving the committee notice. He said in reply that 
he had some important engagements at Chappell Hill, where he is pastor of 
the Methodist Church; that he had to catch a night train, and that he did 
not come around to the investigation as he had been around for three days, 
and did not desire to be put on the stand Thursday night, not wanting to be 
broken off in the middle of his testimony. 

"Did the secretary of the Board tell you to be here at 8 o'clock Thursday 
night?" inquired Judge Scott. 

"Yes, sir." 

"Did you tell him you would be here?" 

"I came here and asked Mr. Sumners, and he told me that I could go if 
it was important. I understood that that excused me." 

"Did you tell Prof. Nagle that the prosecution had decided not to use you, 
and that you did not propose to testify for the other side?" 

"I did not." 

"Did you tell him in that conversation that you were hiding out?" 

"I did not; I told him that I would be walking on." 

"Did you tell him that you did not want to be found?" 

"Yes, I told him that I did not want to be found that night." 

"It appears here that you have lodged with the Board of Directors some 
very serious complaints. I have'nt seen the letter; it is in the hands of Mr. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 153 

Rowell and he is unable to be here. The Board has a hesitancy in taking 
this matter up in the absence of Mr. Rowell, and I will therefore ask you 
to state what the complaints made to him are." 

"I had a conversation with Mr. Rowell and also wrote him a letter and 
do not remember what I said in it." 

"Is there anything in your mind now relative to that letter that you de- 
sire this Board to consider?" 

The witness replied that there was, saying that he had been in the em- 
ploy of the college in the capacity of chaplain; that he had been discharged 
by Judge Leggett, and that the reason given for the discharge was that he 
had kept a stallion on the college grounds for hire. 

"I did not say anything about you keeping him on the College grounds 
for hire," said Judge Leggett. "I merely said that you were discharged be- 
cause you had the horse and were keeping him for hire." 

The witness then explained how he got the horses; that he still has them 
and hires them out, and helps to make his living that way, and that at the 
time they were on the A. and M. campus they were in the custody of Pro- 
fessor Marshall, who was using them in connection with the college exhibit, 
and that after Professor Marshall released custody of them they went to a 
man named Tucker in Bryan to keep. "I would like to say," added the wit- 
ness, "that when I was employed here nothing was said about property quali- 
fications." 

"What connection did Dr. Harrington have with all this?" 

"I understand from Judge Legett that Dr. Harrington had told him that 
I was keeping a stallion on the College grounds for hire." 

"So that was your complaint; is there anything else?" 

"Yes, there is; I have one other." The witness then testified that soon 
after he came to the college he went to Dr. Harrington and suggested to him 
that it would be a good thing to buy a pipe organ for the assembly hall. 
"Dr. Harrington agreed with me thoroughly. I told him that I would sug- 
gest it the next Sunady; that I would contribute $100; would call 
upon the students and Faculty members to contribute $900, making it $1,000, 
and that the Board of Directors might contribute $2,000 to make up about 
$3,000, which was necessary to make the purchase. I announced the plan as 
I had suggested, and it met with approval. The $1,000 was raised. Dr. Har- 
rington came by my house one morning, congratulated me on the success of 
the plan and said he was going to a Board meeting at Fort Worth and that 
he would write out the specific plans, cost, etc. Later I went to Dr. Harring- 
ton and told him that writing was cold and unsatisfactory, and suggested 
that he permit me to go to Fort Worth with him to present the case to the 
Board in person. He agreed with me that it would be a good plan, saying 
that he, however, had no fund from which to pay my expenses. I told him 
that I would pay them. I went to Fort Worth. The Board met on the North 
Side. Dr. Harrington and myself appeared before the body. I presented 
the case. Dr. Harrington sitting idly by, and after I had finished Judge 
Legett announced that he was ready to vote if there were no more remarks. 
Dr. Harrington took the floor and said that he did not think the Board was 
ready to vote upon the question. 

"He told the Board that there were other things needed at the College 
worse than pipe organs. I charged and now charge Dr. Harrington with 
gross duplicity. To show that Dr. Harrington was committed to this pur- 
chase and this plan, he wrote me a note saying that he would contribute $50 
to the fund, that he had to leave the city, and suggested that the matter of 
placing the organ should be left to the committee in charge of the assembly 
hall. I maintain that he acted with duplicity when he was honor-bound to 
use his infiuence with the board. He broke confidence with me in a very 
flagrant manner." 



154 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Witness said Mr. Neff had made some charge about the laundry service, 
but it was agreed that Mr. Neff should testify as to that. Witness had writ- 
ten Director Rowell in November, 1907, while the stallion matter came up 
in February, 1908. He said that when President Harrington told him that 
the Board had let him out as an officer of the Agricultural and Mechanical 
College, no reason was given for such action, nor did the Board ever give 
him its reasons therefor. The way he found out was that when he went out 
to Austin the Governor told him that Director Milner said the reason was 
for standing a stallion on the College grounds. He said the Governor did 
not mention President Harrington in connection with the matter and the 
first he knew of President Harrington's part in it was when Chairman 
Legett of the Board told him. 

Witness said that the Board decided to let him out at its January meet- 
ing, but that he was not advised of it until August 7, last, President Harring- 
ton informing him of it, and adding that the secretary was sent from the 
room and no minute made of the proceeding. He and the President agreed 
that his connection with the College should cease on December 1, 1907. He 
had written letters to Directors Peteet and Legett, the latter containing his 
resignation. Another series of letters were to Prof. Connell, then in South 
Carolina, John A. Craig of San Antonio, Mr. Green of Brownsville and Prof. 
Conradi, all formerly connected with the College work. These letters advised 
them of the situation at the College and urged them to write to their friends 
in Texas to demand that the Board of Directors investigate conditions at the 
College and see the conditions as they existed, that they were severely 
strained and needed adjusting and could not be seen by the Board when 
staying only a day or two at a time. He might have said President Harring- 
ton should be removed, but that the primary purpose was to have the Board 
ascertain the true conditions, though he believed President Harrington was 
not a suitable man for the place. He stuck to his position that the intention 
of the letters was not to have Harrington removed, but to force a full in- 
vestigation. 

He was not sure that he did not predict the uprising. He acknowledged 
that he did so in his letters to the Governor and to Director Rowell. His 
letter to the Governor contained information as to the conditions at the Col- 
lege and prophesyings that the students would revolt unless the tension was 
relieved. He came to the College on Monday, while the strike started on 
Saturday previous. He had had no intimation that the uprising would take 
place, nor that the students would ask for the removal of the President. He 
had come in response to a telephone message from W. H. Telfair, a member 
of the Senior Class, who told him that the invitation came from the entire 
Senior Class. 

At this point the witness volunteered the statement that he went to Austin 
to see the Governor in response to a letter from the Governor and urgent 
letters from two citizens of Bryan, laying stress on the strained conditions 
at the College, and insisting that he should go to Austin. 

"Do you mind telling us who those two citizens were?" asked Judge 
Scott. 

"Certainly not. They were J. Webb Howell, an alumnus of this institu- 
tion and a prominent and substantial citizen of Bryan, and Dr. Eaves of that 
place." 

Witness said he wrote the Governor, telling him of conditions at the Col- 
lege, and that a reply was received stating, in effect, that it was the first in- 
formation of unsatisfactory conditions at the College; that the Governor 
was interested in the institution, and finally suggesting that the writer come 
to Austin and discuss the situation with his excellency. 

"Did you ever tell the boys to go ahead with their strike, as the Governor 
was behind them in their fight?" queried Judge Scott. 

"I did not. The Governor appeared not to agree with me, but seemed to 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 155 

sustain President Harrington and accept the latter's side of the controversy." 

Witness had not consulted or discussed the trouble with any professor or 
Instructor, except causually. 

Judge Scott asked if he had not received a reply from Director Green 
refusing to come to his aid in an attempt to remove President Harrington, 
and witness replied that he had never received an answer to his letter even 
up to this day. 

Mr. Powell was acquainted with the Senior student Casey, then engaged 
in writing a history of the trouble at the College, but denied having finan- 
cially assisted him, stating that Mr. Casey wrote asking for $100, to be re- 
turned, but witness did not have the money then. He said he referred him 
to the First National Bank of Brenham, advising that the money could be 
gotten on a note with good security, and offered to sign it with other friends 
of Mr. Casey, and he sent Mr. Casey's letter to the cashier of the bank with 
the same information. He kept an account with that bank. Had not other- 
wise assisted Casey, but a patron of the school in Brenham had offered to 
advance the money for Casey. 

"Who was that patron " 

"Mr. H. C. Miller." 

Further questioning developed that Mr. Casey desired the money men- 
tioned in his letter to pay maintenance he owed the College, since writing 
the book caused him to give .up work by which he was paying his way 
through College. 

Witness was asked if his solicitation was through the fear that something 
would happen to the institution. He replied in the affirmative, and was 
asked what happened to make him fear that something would happen to the 
institution. He replied that as leader of the Y. M. C. A. he came in contact 
with many of the students; that he heard expressions of discontent, and that 
the leaders were constantly complaining. 

Strike Was Long Contemplated. 

He said that on June 12, 1907, a young man named Caldwell, who was 
staying at his house, remarked that it was a good thing the usual closing 
exercises had not been held, as there was a plan on foot to issue a peti- 
tion signed by the students demanding the resignation of Dr. Harrington. 
He said that later in the summer while in Houston he had met a young 
man who had just recovered from the typhoid fever, who remarked: "We 
will have but one more year of Harrington." Witness said that in October 
following he had arranged a Y. M. C. A. entertainment and had placed the 
name of Dr. Harrington on the program and that a number of the students 
on seeing it insisted that it be taken off, saying that it would place the 
Y. M. C. A. in bad odor with the College generally to have a program with 
Dr. Harrington on it. Dr. Harrington was kept on the program just the 
same, said the witness. Witness said that he did not do anything to in- 
duce the strike, but that on the other hand he did everything to prevent it. 

Judge Green took the witness and developed the fact that he had been a 
minister for eighteen years; that he had been breeding stallions for four 
years, and did not think there was anything incongruous between the two. 
He said his conference and his bishop did not object to the stallion feature 
of his work. 

Judge Green asked if, in the event Dr. Harrington reported the matter of 
stallions to the Board and recommended no action, and if the Board, when 
Dr. Harrington was not present, took the matter up and decided to get 
another chaplain, feeling that there was something incongruous between 
preaching the Gospel and standing stallions for hire, if the witness would 
blame Dr. Harrington. Witness replied that, if Dr. Harrington had re- 
vealed every feature of the case to the Board and the Board had taken 



156 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

such action, he could not, of course, have any feeling toward Dr. Harrington, 
"but," he said, "I would be convinced that the menabers of the Board were 
mossbacks." 

Mr. Peteet took the witness and asked if when he discovered the ill 
will on the part of the students toward the President, he reported the matter 
to the President and talked with him about it. Witness replied that he did 
not, that he felt that it was none of his business. Mr. Peteet suggested that, 
as the religious keeper of the College and the missionary of peace and good 
will, that it was his duty to keep down anger. Witness said he did not 
think so, and Mr. Peteet said, "I merely wished to get your viewpoint." 

Mr. Peteet asked witness if he made the complaint merely for the good 
of the College, or to satisfy a grievance against Dr. Harrington. He said it 
was for the good of the College and that hfe never cherished animosity and 
therefore had nothing against Dr. Harrington. The witness was excused. 

Howell Saw the Unrest. 

The next witness was J. Webb Howell of Bryan, formerly a grocer but now 
an oil mill manager. He said he used to visit the College regularly and com- 
mented upon the state of unrest here. He referred to Rev. Mr. Powell, say- 
ing Powell had approached the witness one day and told him that he had 
been to see the governor concerning conditions. "I told him a short time 
later," he said, "that he should go to see the governor again." Witness kept in 
close touch with the College, and while he might have thought of removing 
Prof. Harrington when he wrote the governor, he did not have any con- 
versation to that effect, that a possible removal was uppermost in the minds 
of all. Bryan and the College being the same as one place, he declared. 

To Director Peteet witness answered that he had no intimation of a 
strike, and that he was opposed to striking and that the strike was a 
surprise to him. 

"You spoke of strained conditions to be relieved. What form of outbreak 
did you expect?" 

"I thought the Board would do something." 

"But I mean on the part of the students?" 

"They surprised me. I did not think they had the nerve to strike." 

Witness said that he wrote the governor stating that the students were 
mad, the Faculty dissatisfied and a general unsettled condition prevailing. 

"Did you say President Harrington ought to be removed?" 

"I might have." 

"Who of the professors have stock in the oil mill with which you are 
connected?" 

"Dr. Brown and Profs. Nagle and Spence." 

Prof. Mitchell's Grievance. 

The next witness was Prof. A. Mitchell, an alumnus of the College, but 
for the past six years instructor in the department of architectural draw- 
ing. His relations had been pleasant with Prof. Harrington until recent 
events showed otherwise. On business matters he said he was not treated 
right. As secretary of the Alumni Association he had been asked by Dr. 
Brown a year ago if copies of the program were desired to be mailed to the 
Alumni, the doctor promising to see the President and secure about four 
hundred copies free, which was done, the President having been too sick, 
however, to be seen. This last commencement he asked Prof. Brown if free 
programs could be gotten again, asked Mr. S'bisa if the $3 per plate Alumni 
banquet could not be reduced and asked Mr. Watkins where were the cots 
used by the Farmers' Congress. That shortly afterward, Mr. S'bisa told 
him President Harrington desired to see him and he went to Prof. Harring- 
ton, asking if he wanted to see him and that Prof. Harrington bluffly replied: 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 157 

"No, I do not want to see you. You want to see me. You saw Dr. Brown 
for programs, the janitor for beds and the steward about the banquet. I am 
in charge of all that and you should see me about it." 

Witness then testified to Mr. Sumners that the method of arranging the 
banquet as outlined did not differ from previous years, that he had been on 
at least two other committees arranging them, and that the secretary always 
attended to the alumni banquet without consulting the President, that he 
meant no disrespect but followed precedent. 

Differences Between Families. 

Here was given some testimony as to why the President got mad, there 
being a distinction as to his getting mad and being mad at Prof. Mitchell, it 
being asserted that he claimed to be just mad about some differences between 
the families, the primary cause of which was stated, but on motion of Di- 
rector Peteet it was expunged from the record and the newspapers requested 
not to use it. His motion was that all references to social differences be 
ruled out and the record refer to personal differences." Answering Judge 
Scott, the witness said he had no other personal differences with the Presi- 
dent; that the President's language on the occasion in question was im- 
proper and made him mad, but that he did not discuss it with the President, 
though mention of it was made to President Law of the Alumni and Prof. 
Giesecke. Witness asserted that he had not discussed his testimony with 
anybody before going on the stand. He was an ex-officio member of the 
Alumni executive committee, but denied that its meetings at the College 
in which he participated were to secure petitions and evidence seeking to 
remove President Harrington, averring that they were held to devise means 
to relieve conditions at the College and restore the normal status, but the 
Houston meeting of the Alumni took things into their own hands. 

"Were you expecting the strike?" 

"No, sir. It was a complete surprise to me." 

Judge Sumners here made a statement that his side was tentatively at 
rest on the thirteenth charge. Judge Scott made inquiry as to the other 
twelve charges, and said that unless some one assumed responsibility for 
them, they should be dismissed. A long argument followed as to this matter, 
as is reported elsewhere. At 5 o'clock the Board went into executive session, 
adjourning the hearing until 8 o'clock. 

When the Board reconvened in open session at 8 o'clock it reported a 
resolution declaring that the Alumni Association should present any evi- 
dence It had in suport of charges 1 to 12, and ruled that it should make 
this presentation before resting. Judge Sumners, for the Alumni Associa- 
tion, protested against being compelled to thus proceed, instead of first fin- 
ishing with charge No. 13, which the Alumni Association had presented upon 
its own responsibility. 

Judge Sumners announced that the evidence upon the first charge as to 
the irregularity of accounts would necessitate the production of the books 
of the institution. It was finally agreed that the books should be presented 
at 9 o'clock Friday morning. The treasurer was notified to be on hand with 
such books. Mr. Sumners insisted that the books be brought, in spite of 
the fact that the Board told him that at the close of the present fiscal year 
the accounts of the school would be gone into by an expert auditor. 

Judge Scott said that it was evident to him that the writers of that 
charge when they had made it, had in mind no specific charge, but only had 
in mind a charge in general, and said that the Alumni Association in making 
the charge was "going fishing." He asked that the books be brought and 
any special features in connection with the accounts be examined. 

Mr. Sumners was then instructed to present his other witnesses, that 
the investigation might proceed with no loss of time. Mr. Sumners said he 



158 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

had no witnesses that he could introduce at that session, but that he would 
have to ask an adjournment until Friday morning. Judge Scott had pre- 
viously refused to go ahead with the examination of the vi?itnesses of the 
defense until the prosecution rested. The Board retired to consider the 
matter in executive session. When it returned to the room it announced 
that it was sorry to order on adjournment, but not desiring to refuse either 
side a privilege asked for, it would adjourn until Friday morning, with the 
request that the prosecution furnish the committee with the names of all 
witnesses desired, as the committee would not again adjourn to permit wit- 
nesses to be on hand. The Board also announced that Mr. Sumners would 
be expected to name the charges upon which he rested. ]Mr. Sumners an- 
nounced that he would withdraw his statement of withdrawal on any of the 
charges, reserving the right to introduce testimony on one and all of them. 
The committee then adjourned until 8 o'clock Friday morning. 

FRIDAY, JUNE 19. 

D. VV. Spence. 

The Board of investigation convened at 8 o'clock Friday morning, and Mr. 
Sumners, representing the prosecution, placed upon the stand the secretary 
of the Faculty, D. W. Spence, who testified on the minutes of Faculty meet- 
ings as to action taken and absences. Mr. Sumners asked what action was 
taken by the Faculty between the time the petition for the removal of Dr. 
Harrington was filed and the present time. The reply, after an examination 
of the minutes, was that there had been twenty-four meetings. Mr. Sumners 
then asked from how many meetings Dr. Harrington had been absent, and 
the reply was as follows: February 18 and 25; March 3, 10, 17 and 31; April 
28; May 19, and June 8, 10 and 11. Dr. Harrington, he testified, was absent 
from eleven meetings out of the twenty-four. 

Judge Sumners instructed the witness to look over the minutes and see 
what was done by the Faculty to eliminate untoward conditions at the Col- 
lege. Judge Scott interjected a question, asking if witness knew. any reason 
why the usual punishment in case of strike was not inflicted.. 

"It was," said the witness. "They were suspended." 

"Were they ever reinstated?" 

Witness referred to the minutes, and read where a telegram had been 
sent by the Board to the parents of students, saying that if students would 
return they would be reinstated, provided they pledged themselves to conform 
to the regulations. The witness was then excused. 

S. E. Andrews, secretary of the College Board, was the next witness 
placed on the stand. He was asked concerning the salary of the President, 
and said that it was $4,000 a year. "Of the amount," said the witness, 
"$3,500 is paid out of the maintenance and support fund supplied by legislative 
appropriation. Prior to June 27, 1907, all of the $4,000 was paid out of the 
maintenance and support fund. At that time, however, the feed control law 
went into effect, and it was provided that the work should be under the 
director of the station. The sum of $500 was deducted from the President's 
salary that came out of the maintenance and support fund, and the salary 
of $4,000 was apportioned, $3,500 to be paid out of the maintenance and sup- 
port fund and $500 to be paid out of the feed control fund. 

"Then he is only receiving $4,000 a year, as did former Presidents of the 
institution, and as he received before it became his duty as director of the 
station to administer the feed control law?" The answer was in the aflirma- 
tive. 

"Then he receives no other compensation, directly or indirectly, in con- 
nection with the College work?" 

"No, sir." 

"Was he elected on a salary of $4,000?" 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 159 

"Yes, sir." 

"Were these duties added to his position without additional compensa- 
tion?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Are the other salaries paid members of the Faculty apportioned out of 
the maintenance and support fund and the feed control funds?" 

"They are apportioned out of different funds." 

The witness was then excused, and Chairman Leggett asked that Mr. 
Milner occupy the chair for a while. 

J. M. Carson Jr. 

The next witness was J. M. Carson, Jr., treasurer of the College, who 
tesified to Mr. Sumners that the session of 190G-07 closed on May 25, 1907, 
because of typhoid epidemic, when the regular closing time was June 10 
or 11. The students pay a total of $155 annually, of which $5 goes to the 
trust fund, and small bills have been paid out of this fund. He was asked 
who draws the vouchers for expenditures out of the trust fund, and by per- 
mission explained that heretofore the funds paid by students have gone into 
the general subsistence fund and the disbursements made out of it as a whole. 
His books carry three distinct funds, namely, subsistence, medical, and trust 
— there being no special funds. 

Witness said that the medical fees did not go to the campus physician, 
as he receives a fixed salary, but that they go to the hospital fund, and 
all used by it. That of the $155 paid in by students, $i;!7 goes to the sub- 
sistence fund, $46 for the winter term and $45 for each of the spring and fall 
terms, $5 to the students' trust fund and $8 to the medical fund. It was esti- 
mated about $11 per capita per month comes from the boys for the mess 
hall, and said that more than that is sometimes used, but that as a rule the 
expense breaks about even in that regard. He said the unused portion of 
the trust fund at the end of the scholastice year is returned to the stu- 
dents, but that out of it must come all charges for breakage and other dam- 
age to the College property; that the person guilty of committing the dam- 
age is charged with it, and sometimes it is chargeable to a room, a stoop 
(floor) or building. That the responsibility is determined in his office after 
the report of the janitor is made. The record of amounts returned to stu- 
dents was requested, and Mr. Carson said he would bring his books later 
and have a statement giving the information desired. 

Judge Scott then cross-examined the witness, asking him if there was 
any claim pending against the institution by any parent or guardian for any 
amount claimed as due on the terms of the recent session, and the witness 
answered that the trust fund credits have not been allowed as yet. 

"Has any person made claim for his share of it?" 

"Some few have written asking for their amount of the fund." 

Witness then explained that the reason the unused balances had not been 
remitted was because the amount of breakage by students had not been 
determined, and that usually the unused part is not sent out until the latter 
part of July, though last year it was in August, due to somt delays in reports 
on damage to guns and accouterments, explaining that each jnm is numbered 
and that the number and gun assigned each cadet are carefully recorded and 
complete track kept of the arms. 

The witness said that the $155 paid by the students included all of his 
necessaries at the College, such as tuition, laundry, lights, fuel and board 
and lodging, the student being required to pay for his clothes and books 
separately. He said there were laboratory fees of $1 to $2, never to exceed 
$5, which are prescribed by the Board of Directors, and that the amounts 
can easily be ascertained by referring to the catalogue and rules. That no 
change in that respect had been made during the present administration. 



160 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

He then answered that no parent had ever claimed that these funds were im- 
properly used nor had anybody ever asked to investigate the books or ac- 
counts, not even the members of the Alumni committee who came to the 
College during the trouble, and who saw him almost daily. And that none 
of them asked any information of him about the matter and did not intimate 
that there was anything wrong with the funds. He knew of no reason why 
they should not have asked him about the funds and accounts. 

Mr. Sumners — When was all of last year's excess in the maintenance 
fund returned or paid back — before or after the strike? 

"After the strike." 

"Was there any demand for it then?" 

"Not to me. I refunded it in response to an order from the Board of 
Directors." 

Mr. Cafrson was here excused with the understanding that he would be 
called later and asked further about the accounts, which he was to arrange 
for. But before he left the stand Director Rowell secured answers to the 
effect that the only fund parents expect any return from was the trust fund 
and that other funds were to be entirely exhausted. Witness also explained 
how the accounts are finally rendered and how it was impossible to ascertain 
the breakage, etc., in such a limited time. Also that his 'books were examined 
last year by an expert accountant from the Auditing Company of the South- 
west of Houston, who spent some two or three weeks on the work. And that 
the rule observed in the past is to have the books thoroughly checked once 
every year, and that no exception had been made with him. 

"Then if there is any misappropriation of funds," said Mr. Rowell, "your 
books don't show it?" 

"No, sir." 

"Is it not true that the funds of this College go through your hands?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"Is it not true that none of the funds of this College go through the 
hands of the President except his salary, and that he does not handle that 
until you pay it to him?" 

"That is right." 

"And that if there, should be any misappropriation of the funds President 
Harrington would not be the one to profit thereby?" 

"That is correct." 

"What manner of vouchers does the President handle?" 

"He handles vouchers for the portion of the fund that is designated to be 
disbursed on his orders. He merely approves them and they are examined 
several times before they are paid." 

Judge Mclnnis interpolated the explanation that when the Legislature 
makes the appropriation for the College it is divided by the Board among 
the various departments of the institution, and that the head of each depart- 
ment has the right to disburse the amounts by approving vouchers, that 
these vouchers are then examined by the President of the Board; that the 
voucher is then exchanged at the bank for money; that the bank forwards 
it to Austin where it is examined by the comptroller and then sent to the 
state treasurer for payment, the treasurer then paying the bank that advanced 
the money on the paper. 

Judge Scott then asked the disposition of the fund paid in by students 
and asked what was done with the money paid by students in case they left 
the school. Witness replied that if the student left on account of sickness or 
was otherwise forced to leave, the money was returned; but that if the stu- 
dent left without being so forced to leave, of his own accord, the money was 
kept by the college. Witness then retired. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 161 

Powell's Letter to Rowell. 

Rev. Mr. Powell, former chaplain of the College, who was on the stand 
Thursday, was replaced on the stand in order that Judge Rowell, who was 
not present at the first examination of Mr. Powell might ask some questions. 
Judge Rowell explained that he desired to ask Mr. Powell some questions 
concerning a letter which he had received from witness some time hefore. 
Mr. Powell explained that he had first mentioned to Mr. Rowell the condi- 
tions existing at the school on an occasion when he talked to Mr. Rowell 
concerning the standing financially of a certain citizen of his town. When he 
mentioned to Mr. Rowell the conditions at the school the latter said he had 
to go at once to a Board meeting, and that Mr. Powell could write a letter 
embodying the charges. Mr. Powell said that subsequently he wrote the 
letter to Mr. Rowell. 

"You wrote the letter which I handed you this morning?" asked Judge 
Rowell. 

"Yes, sir." 

"This letter is strictly confidential, is it?" 

"Yes, sir; it is strictly confidential." 

"Have you any reason for desiring that this letter be not made public?" 

"Simply this, that it was written with the expectation that it would be 
regarded as confidential to one of the Board of Directors. I do not think the 
public has any moral right in the premises." 

"Did you consider that it would be confidential in so far as the members 
of the Board are concerned?" 

"As a matter of fact, the common acceptance of the term is that it is for 
the man to whom it is written and to no one else." 

"I will say," said Judge Rowell, "that I have read the letter to the Board, 
but it has not been given to the public." 

"Inasmuch as you have read the letter to the Board, I will not condemn 
your action in that as long as it is not given to the public' 

"Is there anything affecting the integrity of any of the members of this 
Faculty that you know of that you feel like making public?" 

"I mentioned yesterday the conversation I had with Mr. Neff concerning 
a laundry bill. I asked him if he was willing to swear to his statements, 
and he said that he was. If those statements are true, I feel that they 
should be thoroughly investigated." 

"Do you, of your own knewledge, know anything that you can relate that 
would involve the intergrity of the members of this Faculty?" 

"In money matters?" 

"In anything." 

"Well, as regards financial matters, I relied largely upon the statements of 
Mr. Neff." 

High Praise for the Students. 

Judge Rowell then asked the witness as to the general comportment of 
the student body, and how it compared in morality with other student bodies 
witness had known and come in contact with. Witness said that he had 
graduated at Vanderbilt, at Yale, had attended the Royal George College of 
Germany, also Trinity College in Texas and had taught at the San Antonio 
Female College and Agricultural and Mechanical College here. He said that 
he had never seen a student body that was so steady and reliable, and that 
the Y. M. C. A. and Bible class work was the superior of any college in the 
United States. He said this fact had been testified to by all churchmen who 
had reviewed the work. He said he had never seen upon the grounds any 
liquor in a public way that would affect the students, and that the Bible class 
numbered four hundred students, who attended regularly each Sunday. 



162 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Mr. Peteet took the witness and asked him if he thought it was proper 
to write a letter making charges against a man and not permit that letter 
to be seen by that man or be made public. 

"I wrote that letter," began the witness. 

"I just want your opinion." 

"As 1 stated, this letter was written with the understanding that it was to 
be private and confidential, and therefore the public is not entitled to it." 

"Would you think it right for a member of your church to write a letter 
to your bishop making serious charges against you and refusing to permit 
you to see the charges?" 

Judge Mclnnis said that the question should not be asked, as there was 
nothing in the record to show that there was anything in the letter affecting 
the integrity of President Harrington. Judge Scott suggested that Judge 
Rowell, before the Board, had said that there were charges in the letter 
which, if true, seriously affected the integrity of President Harrington. 
The chair ruled that the question could be asked, and the witness replied 
that if such a letter should be written he would not expect to see it, and 
that a member of his church had a right to make such charges and that he 
ought to do so if his conduct as a pastor was not what it should be. 

"Does your objection to the making public of this letter extend to the 
President himself and prohibit him from seeing it?" 

"Yes, sir." Witness was then excused from the investigation. 

Prof. Spence was recalled and interrogated as to what the Faculty min- 
utes show from February 8th last to date. He said he did not recall any 
record showing that the president had made any recommendations to the 
Faculty looking to the restoration of discipline, except the action taken in 
the suspension of the seven Juniors, members of the Battalion staff. He 
could recall no suggestion by the President which the Faculty had not car- 
ried out. He said that the Faculty provided for a committee of five, of 
which the President was chairman, to revise the rules of the College with 
reference to discipline and general government of the student body. The 
other members were Profs. Puryear, Giesecke and Fountain and Capt. 
Moses, commandant. The committee has not reported as yet. 

Judge Scott took the witness and developed that the committee was to 
report only after careful study, ocherwise it would not have been corn-posed 
of as many as five members; that the question of winter drill regulations 
had been considered once or twice that time and it was merged with the 
work of this committee of five. 

Mr. Sumners — Was it ever suggested by President Harrington that the 
present rules needed revision? 

"The appointment of the committee showed that there was a realization 
of that condition." 

"Was it ever considered by the President, the Faculty or anybody else 
that immediate conditions demanded attention?" 

"Only as shown by such action taken in February to stop the trouble." 

The witness said that nothing had been done to effect a revision of the 
rules up to this writing. The rule book was read to show that the President 
and the commandant have entire control over certain regulations, and wit- 
ness said the President was the superior officer, and if there should be a 
conflict with the commandant the President would prevail. He said that 
while the President was the executive head of the institution recommenda- 
tions as to changes could be made by any member of the Faculty. 

Replying to Judge Scott, witness said that the under classmen were re- 
instated only after they had agreed to return and obey constituted author- 
ity. Witness said that there were certain acts of the students at that time 
which would have probably been punished in an ordinary session, but in 
view of the trouble and feeling incident to the strike and the promise of the 
boys to study and obey the rules no attention was paid to them. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 163 

Judge Sumners — Do you mean to tell the Board that there has been 
even tolerable discipline since the strike?" 

"The boys have been studying and obeying orders, though I have heard 
rumors of infractions." 

"Well, do you know of the hanging of the President in effigy? Was that 
good discipline?" 

"I did not see the incident you mention." 

"But you know that such a thing did occur here, do you not?" 

"Yes, I heard it on reliable authority." 

The witness said his minutes would show that punishment has been in- 
flicted since the. strike, one or two cadets having been suspended. He said" 
that the discipline was not so very good since the strike because the boys 
returned here backed by the Alumni Association, and with the same feel- 
ing of prejudice or state of mind as before leaving. He said the President 
had nothing to do with punishing students for overstaying their furloughs, 
that being in the military department and presided over by Capt. Moses. In 
conclusion the witness said the committee of five to revise the rules had 
not met so far as he knew, and he did not know when it would meet. 

Cadet R. P. Beauregard. 

Richard P. Beauregard of San Antonio, a member of the last Junior 
Class, was called and recounted an April Fool comedy of two years ago. He 
said April 1 of that year fell on Sunday and that a large number of the boys 
decided to have some fun and started out by not going to chapel which is 
the Sunday religious exercise. They gathered around the barracks and played 
pranks, until finally the guard, led by President Harrington and Capt. Sar- 
gent then commandant of cadets, gave chase, and the boys took to the 
fields. Some few were captured and placed under arrest, and later all re- 
turned for dinner, but the roll call at chapel showed the absentees, and at 
mess all those who had not attended chapel were arrested and escorted to the 
guard room, where they sang and otherwise "raised a little Cain." "But I 
don't remember how much, was the answer when Judge Scott asked about 
"Little Cain." Continuing his narrative, young Beauregard said that Capt- 
Sargent came over immediately and stayed with them the entire time they 
were confined, refusing to let them go to dinner or give them their freedom 
unless they would promise that they would not do anything wrong the rest 
of the day. He refused to permit them to have dinner unless such a promise 
was given, and asked them for it a number of times, but the boys were ob- 
durate. The boys who attended chapel came around later after having had 
dinner and jollied a little, but President Harrington then came and also 
asked for a promise to behave during the remainder of the day, and the 
boys again refused to make it, stating that they had done nothing serious 
especially requiring the giving of such a promise. And finally President Har- 
rington liberated them and they were marched to dinner. The witness sev- 
eral times referred to Capt. Sargent as "Sargent," and Director Peteet re- 
quested him to say "Capt. Sargent," as the person in question was an army 
officer and entitled to that amount of respect. Resuming his testimony, the 
cadet said the effect of the episode was to turn the students against Capt. 
Sargent and make President Harrington immensely popular 

Further questioned by Mr. Sumners, the witness said that it was not 
long before the boys learned to admire and like Capt. Sargent, and not very 
long thereafter to dislike President Harrington, and that they liked Capt. 
Sargent up to the time he left the College. He could not say when they 
began to dislike President Harrington, and that after the boys learned to 
know Capt. Sargent they could not nelp but admire him. He said the boys 
"woke up." Judge Scott suggested "realized," and the witness agreed that 
that was what he meant in connection with finally appreciating Capt. Sar- 
gent. 



164 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Judge Scott — Then it is possible for a student body to finally realize that 
it has made a mistake and do the right thing? 

Cadet Beauregard — I suppose so. 

This concluded the testimony for the morning session, and the Board went 
into executive session during the remainder of the forenoon considering 
the affidavits submitted by Mr. Sumners, besides other documents on file. 

Wellborn for "Harry." 

When the Investigation Board reconvened at 2 p. m. Prof. Wellborn, 
who wanted to get away on a train, was put upon the stand by Judge Scott 
as a witness for the defense, Judge Scott agreeing in order .to accommodate 
witnesses to accept this witness out of order. Witness testified that he had 
known Dr. Harrington for twenty-five years and that he knew him at the 
Agricultural College in Mississippi. Witness was a student when he knew 
Dr. Harrington there and Dr. Harrington was a member of the Faculty. 
He said. Dr. Harrington was a kindly man. He had been here about eight 
months, and while he was not an active professor, his work kept him on the 
campus about half the time and he mingled freely with the students during 
that time. 

"You are familiar with conditions, are you not?" asked Judge Scott. 

"Yes, sir; I have seen things that have been going on." 

"What character of work can be reasonably expected next year if the 
students return to the College and obey the laws of the school if President 
Harrington stays here?" 

"I think the institution will run along all right." 

"What do you know about Dr. Harrington's disposition?" 

'I have always found him patient and kind, I always got along well with 
him." 

"Have you observed any change in him during the past eight months to 
what he seemed to be before?" 

"No, sir; no change." 

Mr. Sumners took the witness and asked: 

"Knowing what you do, do you think that if the students come back under 
the present conditions, good work can be expected?" 

"If they will obey their pledges they will do good work." 

"That isn't my question; knowing what you do, do you think they will 
do good work?" 

"I don't know what they will do about returning, but if they come back 
I think they will do good work." 

"What state of mind do you think they will come back in?" 

"I say that if they do not come back in a good frame of mind they 
should not come back." 

"But do you think they will come back in a good state of mind?" 

"I think that after being scattered and under the influence of their homes 
during the summer, they will be in a better state of mind in the fall; but if 
they do not lay aside their ill feeling they will probably establish a condi- 
tion such as has existed." 

"In your judgement as a school man, if they do not lay aside that ill 
feeling, will they do good work?" 

"I suppose not." 

"What is your opinion of the discipline that has prevailed?" 

"It has been generally bad." 

Judge Scott — Your idea is that if they won't obey the rules and make up 
their minds that they won't they should be fired out of the school. 

"Yes, sir." 

"Do you know whether or not there was a sentiment among the students, 
and whether there was a sympathy among the Faculty for the students in 
their revolt?" 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 165 

"I think there was, but I know of no act personally that would make 
that opinion certain." 

'"How did you get the idea?" 
"From general conditions which indicated the expression, 'We have some- 
one helping us now and we mustn't fail to fight ourselves.' " 

Judge Sumners — How did you get that idea? 

"There was a general condition of defiance (and I heard remarks several 
times that would have forced me, had I been at the head of the discipline 
committee, to have taken rigid action to enforce the rules." 

"In their reference to having help were they referring to the Faculty 
or to the Alumni?" 

"I suppose they were referring, at least, in part, to the Alumni Asso- 
ciation." 

"Did not the Alumni Association try to restore order and ask the stu- 
dents to obey the rules?" 

"I think they did. I merely expressed the idea that the boys thought 
they had the assistance and they ought to keep up the fight themselves." 

T. J. Wertenbaker. , 

T. J. Wertenbaker, associate professor of history and economics, who 
has been connected with the College, during the past session, testified that 
he was here during the time of the strike, and told of a conversation he had 
with a Freshman named Hart who attended his section. He said he had 
spoken to the students of his section upon one occasion when they were as- 
sembled about a month before the close of the last session, telling them that 
there seemed to be a spirt in the student body which crushed out the spirt 
of independence in any individual student unless it was to the liking of the 
corps. Young Hart came to him and said that he had been ostracised and 
worse by the corps because he would not submit to its ideas; that he had 
written to his mother stating the facts and saying that he wanted to go 
home, and that he had come to the professor for advice. The professor ad- 
vised him to stay at the College if he could stand it, saying that he thought 
it would be good for him in the end, but the young man said he could not 
stand the treatment, and he left for home. This testimony was given in re- 
sponse to questions by Judge Scott. 

Judge Sumners — Do you think the student body lost anything by a man 
like that leaving? 

The Witness — Yes; I had the very highest respect for Mr. Hart. 

Answering Judge Scott, witness said that when his boys were leaving at 
the end of the session he interrogated them, especially the Freshmen, as to 
whether they intended to come back. Out of thirty Freshmen thus ques- 
tioned, twenty said they would come back. He asked one or two Juniors 
how many of their class would come, and was told about thirty. 

Asked by Judge Sumners to give the names of these students, he said 
that he was quite positive as to the replies, but uncertain as to the names, 
but he gave the names of Cadets Gilson and Gilbert as the Freshmen, and A. 
McDaniel as a Junior. He said he had no knowledge as to the Sophomores. 
Asked if anything had been done to correct the conditions which caused 
Hart to go home, he said he knew of nothing except the talk that was made 
to his class. Asked if the thirty Juniors should return here would they not 
be suflBcient to, inoculate the entire corps, he said they might under certain 
conditions. 

Prof. C. W. Hutson. 

Prof. Charles Woodward Hutson, professor of history and economics, for 
fifteen years in this College, engaged in school work for over forty years and 
now in his 68th year, had never known a better set of students than the 



166 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

present corps at this College. He had known President Harrington fifteen 
years. 

"I do not know Dr. Harrington's feeling toward me; mine toward him is 
that of an aggrieved man. It dates from December IG, 1907. Shall I tell 
the story? 

Judge Scott — Does it relate to the school or is it a private difference? 

"It has several times been placed as a possible injury to the school." 

Prof. Hutson then told his story, as follows: "My third son, Arthur Carey 
Hutson, on December IG, 1907, came from New York City, bringing his wife 
and child. He had been absent four years." 

Judge Scott — I insist that this is irrelevant. It is a matter of no impor- 
tance where his son came from. Let him tell what happened. 

"My son had been absent from home four years," said Prof. Hutson, with 
evidences of ire. "It was impoi'tant that we should see him and his wife 
and child. It is a matter of importance," said he with much emphasis. 

"During the trip the child developed the whooping cough," he continued. 
"My wife at once perceived that fact. She telephoned all parents of young 
people on the campus to keep them away from our house. She also tele- 
phoned Dr. Gilbert, the health officer. This was at the time of the holiday 
examination. On my return home my wife informed me that President 
Harrington had, through the health officers, placed a smallpox quarantine on 
our house, allowing no one to go to or come from our house. We made no 
strong objection to that. We made allowance for the panic, thought it would 
soon be over and that Dr. Harrington would see the folly of it. A day or 
so later demand was made that my son should take the child away from the 
campus. That was an invasion of private rights that I would not submit 
to from any man nor set of men. A day or so later Dr. Harrington de- 
manded that our cook's children should be removed. That I also was un- 
willing to submit to, but we allowed the cook and her children to leave. That 
was the only time I received a communication from President Harrington 
directly. Before that the communications had been indirect. This time he 
wrote me a letter which I will read." 

The witness then read the letter interpolating comment frequently. He 
called attention to the fact that the letter was written on Christmas day, 
suggesting that it was a very fond letter for such an occasion. The greeting 
in the letter was, "My Dear Professor." In this letter Dr. Harrington said 
that he had asked the health officer to notify Prof. Hutson on the day be- 
fore that two negro children of Hutson's cook should be removed from the 
campus; to request Prof. Hutson to have them removed, and so notify the 
cook also of said necessity. The letter explained that the reason for this 
was that the continuance of these children in Prof. Hutson's yard would 
be a menace to the children on the campus, as it was impossible to effective- 
ly quarantine negroes, and that he knew that the quarantine on this ser- 
vant's house had been violated. President Harrington further said: "We 
want, of course, to» prevent the spread of whooping cough on the campus." 
He added that the health ofl^cer informed him that Prof. Hutson's daughter 
had declined to comply with the request, and he requested Prof. Hutson to 
advise him whether or not he considered this request reasonable and whether 
he intended to comply with it. 

Prof. Hutson read his written reply to President Harrington. In this 
he said he did not consider President Harrington's desire reasonable, as the 
negro children had never been in the house since the arrival of his grand- 
child. He stated, however, that the servant and her children, upon their 
own motion, would leave the yard that day. 

Continuing, Prof Hutson said that the quarantine continued during the 
holidays. His son, Miles, who was a -student in the College, was held at 
home, but was able to keep up with his examination work through the kind- 
ness of classmates who brought the questions to him. On January 1st, his 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 167 

son, Arthur, intended to return to New York, and not knowing what con- 
ditions might develop at the College, removed his wife and child to Bryan. 
His object, also, was to relieve his brother Miles from the embargo and per- 
mit him to return to his school work. 

Judge Sumners — Do you know whether President Harrington is or is 
not a man of quarrelsome disposition? 

"As far as one can get an impression from remaining in the community 
for fifteen years, he is decidedly quarrelsome. He has had feuds with a 
number of persons. Shall I name them?" 

Judge Sumners told the witness to name them, and he proceeded to tell 
about a fight seven years ago, but President Leggett interrupted, saying the 
Board had upon a former occasion eliminated that matter, because it greatly 
antedated Prof. Harrington's accession to the presidency. 

Judge Leggett said that only specific acts since Harrington had been 
President would be admitted. Witness said he knew of none. Judge Sum- 
ners said there were charges m the pleading that Dr. Harrington was of a 
quarrelsome disposition and that he had probably not changed his disposition 
in the past few years. The chairman said that he interrupted merely to limit 
the specific instances to cases that had arisen since Dr. Harrington has been 
President. Judge Sumners released the witness and Judge Scott said he had 
no questions to ask. 

J. M. Carson, treasurer of the College returned to the stand in connection 
with vouchers introduced by Judge Sumners for small amounts representing 
refunds to students who left before expiration of the school session last year. 
Asked if he had had any correspondence with parents of cadets relative to 
retention of portion of maintenance funds, witness said he had letters from 
a few, and replied to a few of them relating to sick cases, but not to cases 
where students left the school early, because the session closed early. 

Judge Scott — Did President Harrington have anything to do with it?" 

"No, the matter was not referred to hirn at all." 

Judge Sumners showed witness a voucher bearing a notation from Presi- 
dent Harrington as follows: "Mr. Carson, please transfer the correct amount 
to his credit." 

Witness said that Harrington made that statement as the student left 
before he was sick. Two other vouchers for small amounts drew forth simi- 
lar testimony. Witness testified that it was not the general rule to refer 
sick refunds to the President, but that the College physician usually passed 
upon them. One voucher was in a special case, where applicant said his 
son did not get medical treatment that he was entitled to, and therefore 
deserved the refund. Judge Sumners asked if there were any vouchers 
on hand that the President had' not approved, and witness replied in the 
aflBrmative. . Judge Scott asked if it was not the rule that vouchers were re- 
ferred to the physician where possible, and if he could not be found then to 
the President. The reply was in the affirmative. Judge Sumners asked 
whose business it was to order a refund, and witness replied that in many in- 
stances the rules authorized him to make them without consulting anybody. 

Judge Sumners — Did you answer the letter requesting refunds because 
school closed early? 

"I think they were all answered." 

"Was the money refunded, and if not, why not?" 

"It was not; I did not think the patrons were entitled to refund, because 
we had gone to the usual expense incident to the closing of- the school, and 
would have sustained a serious loss if the refund was made." 

"Did you refer the matter to the President?" 

"No; he was absent about the time the letters came." 

"Did you refer them to the Board?" 

"I don't remember that I did. I did not think it was necessary as 
I felt sure no refund was in order." 



168 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Judge Leggett, after the witness was excused took up the various peti- 
tions, affidavits, etc., submitted in evidence by the prosecution and an- 
nounced that in executive session their admissibility had been passed upon. 

"The affidavits of J. L. Jones, L. W. Jones and J. G. Foster," he said, 
"will be admitted, but this action is not a precedent. Each document will 
be considered hereafter separately. The resolutions by the parents at Bryan 
will be admitted. With reference to the matters referred to in the state- 
ment of Burt E. Hull, it will not be admitted. Among the reasons might 
be mentioned the great lapse of time intervening between the time he 
speaks of and the present. It appears that the matters he speaks of were 
presented to former President David E. Houston of this College and it is 
assumed that he and his Faculty gave them their attention. Since that time 
he has been elected President of this institution, and it appears that since 
then a state of harmony has existed between him and the corps of professors. 
The witness, if he were here, would not be permitted to testify along this 
line. With reference to the statement made by Prof. Marshall, the Board 
passed upon that several days ago, excluding, and there is now no reason for 
any change of mind. With reference to the statement of W. L. Maury con- 
cerning a check for $10, the Board decides to admit that, but also asks that 
the treasurer of the institution be allowed to make an explanation to be 
entered in the record along with Mr. Maury's statement. Therefore the check 
will be turned over to the treasurer and he can appear later and explain it." 

Defense Was Begun. 

Mr. Sumners announced that he was practically ready to rest the prosecu- 
tion, that there might he a few more witnesses to appear later, but that 
they would not be numerous. Judge Scott objected to this, saying that he 
desired the prosecution to conclude entirely before the defense started. He 
said that the prosecution, would, of course, have the right to introduce 
rebuttal testimony, but that he wanted them to finish their direct testimony. 
Judge Leggett suggested that Judge Sumners had made about as definite a 
statement as a lawyer usually makes in resting his case, and suggested 
that Judge Scott might proceed, as the Board would not permit the prosecu- 
tion to take an unfair advantage of the defense. Judge Scott decided to go 
ahead with the defense. 

Judge Scott objected to the affidavits going in the record especially the 
portion of them undertaking to state the result of interviews with Presi- 
dent Harrington at the time affiant left College. The statements were ex 
parte and no reason was shown why the affiant should not be here to sub- 
mit to cross examination. The objection was overruled by the Board. 

Judge Scott offered in evidence the Faculty minutes from February 8th 
to February 18th, covering the strike period. 

C. C. Todd. 

Capt. C. C. Todd of San Antonio, a member of the Alumni committee 
appointed to deal with the College troubles and look after this investigation, 
was the first witness called to the stand by Judge Scott. He was asked if he 
had prepared the "suggestions" from one to twelve, inclusive, presented to 
the Board by his committee. He answered that the suggestions were handed 
to the committee by various persons and the committee had prepared the 
papers. He could not say who handed them in, except that some were turned 
in by E. J. Smith of Denison, a member of the committee. He did not know 
where Smith got them, nor where the others came from. Witness had type- 
written the matter that had been adopted by the committee in Bryan, but 
he did not formulate the charges. 

Judge Scott then interrogated the witness categorically as to each and 
every one of the charges or suggestions. Witness could not state definitely 



HISTORY OP THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 169 

who got up the preamble, but it was his opinion that Mr. Smith had handed 
it in. It was changed to some extent at the meeting, but he could not say 
what the changes were. Asked as to the suggestion that there had been 
charges circulated of gross misappropriation of funds and as to where that 
information came from, the witness first said that he did not know, but 
upon further questioning said he saw it in a publication known as the Hit- 
tite of Dallas, and he thought that Milton Everett stood sponsor for the 
article. He said he did not know that the Farm and Ranch and its man- 
agement had all along been opposed to President Harrington. That he did 
not know anything about their attitude on the subject. He could not recall 
any other publication about this matter. 

Asked as to the suggestion about improper contracts and the source 
of information as to same, he said he had some clippings questioning the 
management of the feed control. He did not know what papers these clip- 
pings were from. The author of the article, he said was E. C. Ray of Hous- 
ton, who, in his article, says he is a feeder. He did not know Mr. Ray 
personally, nor know his sources of information, except as the article stated. 
Witness had not made any investigation of the matter at the College and did 
not know of any member of his committee doing so. Asked if that article 
had formed any basis for this charge, the witness replied that he did not 
put the charge in. Further questioned he said that while at the college he 
made no effort to obtain, information from the treasurer or any officer in 
regard to the expenditure of money, nor had he learned of any member of his 
committee doing so. 

Asked as to where the information had come from upon which the charge 
that President Harrington is responsible for holding the maintenance fund, 
witness said he did not know. The matter of the proof available had been 
discussed in the Bryan meeting. He could not recall who stated any facts 
to show that President Harrington was thus responsible. Asked if he could 
recall any information referred to by a single solitary individual in that 
meeting in support of that charge, witness said that as secretary he had 
taken notes of the meeting including the proof that could be gotten to sub- 
stantiate the charges. He looked at some papers which he took from his 
pocket and said that E. J. Smith and parents of the students were listed 
for witnesses to substantiate that charge. Asked as to the charge about 
improper use of trust funds, he said he had no information upon it. It was 
suggested in the committee meeting that it could be proven from the rec- 
ords and by parents. He could not recall who made this suggestion. 

Judge Summers here objected to questioning the witness along this line. 
He said it was immaterial how the pleadings were prepared. The truth 
or falsity of the charges was the material matter. Judge Scott said that 
these charges of "suggestions" involved the good name and character of 
a man occupying a prominent position. Here was a committee of gentlemen 
supposed to be representing a disinterested body appointed to secure an in- 
vestigation. They had presented matters for which they refused from the 
start to assume responsibility, and when he had insisted upon them assum- 
ing this responsibility or upon the charges being ignored they had protested 
against taking the responsibility, but had nevertheless asked the Board to 
investigate. 

"I say they have no right to make charges of this kind," said he, "and 
publish them broadcast in the newspapers of this state, and then, when we 
ask for the information upon which they have acted, try to stop us from mak- 
ing our inquiries. There are charges of a serious nature in here upon which 
they have not offered a scintilla of evidence." 

Judge Sumners here interrupted. He repeated that the only material 
matter was as to the truth or falsity of the charges, and he asked that wit- 
nesses answer as to his knowledge of how the charges came to be prepared 
be stricken from the record. 



170 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Judge Scott reiterated that if tlie charges had not been published to the 
world, his line of inquiry would not be material, but since they had been pub- 
lished he had a right to see what was behind them. 

Director Green in the chair said that this was material upon which 
he would be glad to have an appeal made to the Board from his ruling. The 
inquiry could be continued along the lines pursued, but for a differeni, 
reason than that given by counsel. It was the duty of the Board, in its 
fiduciary capacity, he said, to find out all it could as to the sources of in- 
formation pertaining to any charge of mismanagement or wrongdoing in 
connection with the College. Therefore, if witness knew of anything or 
had learned of anything that these charges were based upon, the Board want- 
ed to know of them so it could pursue the inquiry to the end. 

Judge Sumners said he would not appeal from the ruling. 

Judge Scott asked witness as to the charges that President Harrington 
drew several salaries as the head of several departments of the college, which 
was wrong in principle, if not in violation of the law. He was asked if he 
knew where that charge came from. He made a comprehensive reply. He 
said he did not remember who turned in that charge, nor who discussed it. 
It was stated in the committee meeting that Dr. Harrington, for the first 
time in the history of the institution, occupied the positions of President 
and Director of the station, and there was a question as to whether he was 
drawing more than one salary, and it was thoaght the matter should be in- 
vestigated. 

"I don't know what information it was based upon," said the witness. "I 
had absolutely nothing to do with turning in those twelve charges, and know 
absolutely nothing about them except hearsay. It was suggested in the 
committee that Dr. Harrington was drawing several salaries, but he did not 
know that anybody said he was willing to go upon the stand and swear that 
he knew it. He did not know that anybody in that committee knew that 
they could come to the treasurer and ascertain the facts." 

Witness said that the language in the charges as presented to the com- 
mittee was not his. He had taken notes of the meeting of the commitee and 
had put the language of the committee into the document. 

Asked if any member of the committee had undertaken in the meeting of 
the Alumni Association which adopted these charges to state the facts upon 
which the charges were based, witness said they had not, further than to read 
the charges. Yes; there was discussion. The committee had been asked 
if there was a reasonable chance to prove the charges, and the committee 
had replied in the affirmative. 

"And you, a member of the committee, present at that time, knew abso- 
lutely nothing about it?" asked Judge Scott. 

"I did not prepare the charges, but I believed we could substantiate them." 

"And yet you say that not a single solitary man mentioned a thing that 
would indicate that these things were true.' 

This was Judge Scott's closing comment. Judge Sumners said that he had 
no questions to ask, but witness might wish to make a statement. 

•Mr. Todd said: "At a meeting in Houston, it has been the unanimous 
sense of ovir body that no one should be condemned. President Harrington 
or anybody else, but the boys should be induced to return to the institution; 
that conditions at the College were apparently in such a state that there 
should be a public investigation felt that something was wrong, and the pa- 
trons and the public were entitled to know what was the matter. A resolu- 
tion was drawn which was not made public, but addressed to the Board of Di- 
rectors. It was not made public out of courtesy to the Board. The atti- 
tude of the committee was simply to ask an investigation, and I believe 
personally, so far as I am concerned, and I speak for the committee, that to 
this day the committee has not believed it was its duty to condemn any one; 
but at the request of this Board it constituted itself a body to receive such 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 171 

suggestions as should come to them as in its judgment merited an investi- 
gation and report back to the board. Personally, I did not offer any of 
these charges. When I met with the committee in Bryan these matters 
were produced with some others. The others were thrown out because we 
did not believe them sufficiently supported by evidence to be presented 
for an investigation. We believed the committee had the evidence of some 
of these charges; others we felt the records would show the truth or falsity 
of; some of the charges had been published and we thought the Board should 
investigate them and get at the truth." 

Answering Judge Scott, witness said he did not know at that time, nor 
did he know now, the extent of the circulation of the Hittite. In response to 
the request of Director Peteet, witness promised to give the Board a list of 
the witnesses prepared at the committee meeting. 

Judg Scott offered in evidence two paragraphs from the statements of 
students published in the papers of the state as showing the attitude of the 
students. One paragraph read: "Our patience is exhausted. It is preposter- 
ous in the extreme to believe that a College with a student body and Faculty 
completely out of harmony with the President, showing absolutely no re- 
spect for the President, and a Faculty torn by dissensions, can accomplish 
any good." 

Judge Sumners suggested that the whole article might go into the record. 
Judge Scott said he had no objection, but that he desired the paragraphs 
mentioned to especially go in. The other paragraph he read as follows:: 
"It was with a feeling of confidence in their ability to act for us that we 
turned the fight over to the committee of the Alumni Associaition, and in 
no way do we think that they have violated this confidence." 

Judge Scott then offered in evidence about thirty letters received from 
patrons, expressing their confidence in the ability and integrity of Dr. Har- 
rington. He asked that samples of these letter be read and entered into the 
record. The Board ruled that none of the letters could go into the record but 
suggested that they be submitted to the Board as argument, to be con- 
sidered by the board as such. This action was taken.- 

Adojurnment Discussed. 

Judge Scott announced that he had a woman in the case whom he de- 
sired to put on the stand, but that it would take a day for here to get here, 
and he desired to know something about adjournment plans in order that he 
might know whether to summon her or not at the present time. This brought 
up adjournment discussion. 

• Judge Haidusek favored working through Sunday, if it was necessary to 
do so, in order to finish the investigation. Mr. Milner also favored this 
plan. Judge Green said he wanted to go on through with the investigation. 
Judge Mclnnis said he was in favor of working until 12 o'clock Saturday 
night, and then adjourning, as he was not in favor of working through 
Sunday. Mr. Peteet was in favor of adjournment some time Saturday af- 
ternoon or early in the evening. The matter was not settled, but Judge 
Scott was given instructions to summon the witness. He explained that he 
did not desire to have her come here twice, and wished to be assured that 
if she came she would be allowed to testify straight through and go home. 
He was given this assurance. 

Judge Scott introduced in evidence the resignation of Prof. Conradi by 
letter to Dr. Harrington, under date of October 1, 1907, and the reply of 
Dr. Harrington tliereto under date of October 5, 1907. After some argument, 
it was admitted and read. Prof. Conradi in the letter said he regretted ex- 
ceedingly to leave the College, but that his department was in good shape 
and that his successor could take up the work readily, as the records of the 
department were well filled. He said Prof. Harrington had given him the 



172 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

option of resigning. The writer expressed the hope that the school would 
continue successful. 

Dr. Harrington's reply, written three days later, said that he had not 
given Prof. Conradi the option of resigning. The letter stated that during 
the summer Prof. Conradi had actively worked for the position with the 
South Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical College, and that the President 
had increased Prof. Conradi's salary from $1,600 to $1,800 a year, that the 
latter had accepted the offer yet continued to negotiate for another position, 
and finally tendered his resignation. The letter of Dr. Harrington revoked 
the order raising the salary of Prof. Conradi to $1,800 a year, saying that the 
College had no notion of enforcing a contract with a professor. 

Another letter from a member of the Faculty who had resigned was 
ruled out. 

A letter was offered under date of December 31, 1907, from E. J. Smith 
of Denison, a member of the Alumni Association and one of the Alumni com- 
mittee who prepared the charges. Judge Scott maintained that the letter 
should be admitted as showing a former feeling of one who had been the 
most active in trying to get Dr. Harrington removed. After much discus- 
sion it was admitted. Mr. Smith wrote the letter with reference to his 
son, who was a student of the school at the time and was also a student of 
the school until the close of the term. The letter thanked Dr. Harrington 
for the fatherly interest he had displayed in the 17-year-old Smith lad. say- 
ing that the father had had a talk with the boy, in which the latter had ad- 
mitted that he had not worked as he should, and expressing gratification 
that he was under the care of one who took a fatherly interest in his welfare, 
thanking Dr. Harrington in very generous terms for his interest displayed. 

An affidavit of J. B. Rather, who has been attendant upon the Agricul- 
tural and Mechanical College until two days ago and who had to leave for 
Chicago to attend school, was introduced in eveidence and attacked by the 
prosecution. Judge Sumners argued that it sho'uld be excluded because it 
was taken by Prof. Harrington's secretary, who happened to be secretary of 
the Board of Directors. The vote of the admission was first three to three, 
four to three, the following voting to exclude: Messrs. Rowell, Mclnnis, Pe- 
teet and Green. The following voted to admit: Messrs. Milner, Leggett and 
Haidusek. Mr. Peteet changed his vote to admit, saying that however he 
did not change his opinion. Earlier in the afternoon in executive session the 
Board admitted several affidavits offered by Mr. Sumners. One was by L. 
W. Jones of Haskell County dated February 13, 1908, stating that he has 
been a student at College and paid his maintenance pro rata. He was taken 
sick on January 12th and resigned on January 30th, asking President Har- 
rington for the return of the unearned part of his maintenance fund, but that 
the President declined to return him the maintenance fund, but made the 
following remark: "I am glad to get rid of two such boys," having reference 
to myself and J. G. Foster. The affiant further states that the commandant 
signed his resignation, but that the treasurer refused to pay him his un- 
earned fund without instructions from the President, which the President 
refused. 

On the same date J. L. Jones of Haskell County made affidavit that he 
had a son at the Agricultural and Mechanical College, L. W. Jones, above 
mentioned, and having been informed by A. C. Foster that there was a rumor 
that smallpox and typhoid fever prevailed at the College sent the following 
telegram to President Harrington from Rule: "Is report you have students 
with smallpox and typhoid fever true?" "Deponent states that he has never 
received any reply from President Harrington or anybody else to said mes- 
sage, neither by wire or letter." The telegram was dated January 15th. 

Another affidavit was that of J. G. Foster, late student of the College, who 
on June 15th, swears he heard rumors of typhoid fever and smallpox at 
the hospital, and on January 12 he wrote such information to his uncle and 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 173 

guardian at Rule, knowing as a fact that there were seventy-five students 
in the hospital, and received a telegram addressed to J. G. Foster and 
Lennes Jones, telling them to resign and come home at once. That when 
they presented their resignations to President Harrington he asked if they 
had informed their parents of the prevalence of disease and answered in the 
affirmative, the rumor not having been denied. President Harrington re- 
plied: "You ought to have known that was not so." The affidavit states that 
"President Harrington refused to sign our resignations, though we told him 
we needed the money to defray our expenses in returning home, but he re- 
marked, 'I don't see how you are going to get it,' and further said, 'I am 
glad to get rid of two such boys.' " He said the President showed he was 
indifferent to affiant's feeling and interest. 

Another affidavit admitted was that of J. W. Jones of Haskell County, who 
averred in substance the same things as his son, adding that he wired Presi- 
dent Harrington and believed he had written him asking if smallpox or ty- 
phoid fever prevailed at the College, "but has never received an answer in 
any form from him." He and his partner, A. C. Foster, then wired the boys 
to come home, and that after his son reached home he was confined to his 
bed for several days under the treatment of a physician, "and I am quite 
sure I did not act any too soon in wiring him to come home." The letters 
to his son are attached to the affidavit as exhibits. He heard of the small- 
pox through the letter from J. G. Foster to A. C. Foster, which also is 
filed as an exhibit. 

Lennis W. Jones of Haskell County makes another affidavit, dated June 
15th, reciting the facts stated in his first affidavit, but elaborates them more 
fully, and confirms his former statement that President Harrington refused 
to sign the resignation so that the unearned maintenance fund could be re- 
turned. That when he asked for it explaining it was necessary in order to 
defray his expenses home. President Harrington refused and remarked: "I 
don't see how you are going to get it," and immediately returned to his work 
on his desk. Affiant says: "Through all my dealings with President Harring- 
ton his manner showed he was very indifferent to my interest and feelings, 
and on this occasion, especially, his manner was not much short of in- 
sulting." 

The Board adjourned till 8 p. m. 

When the evening session convened at 8 p. m. Judge Scott, apropos of the 
charge that Dr. Harrington does not and never has possessed the esteen of 
the students, asked to be allowed to introduce in evidence the dedication 
clause of the Long Horn, the College annual, published in 1906. The dedica- 
tion clause read as follows, and was admitted in evidence. "This volume is 
dedicated to a true friend of the student body, our new President, whose 
sterling qualities as a Southern gentleman of rare ability as an educator 
merit and win for him the love and admiration of the class of 1906." 

Judge Scott then announced the name of the lady he desired called, a 
Miss Davis, residing at Reagan, the librarian of the school. He asked to be 
allowed to take her deposition, saying it would be on hand Saturday after- 
noon. He asked this because he had learned she was ill. The request was 
granted. 

President of Alumni Association. 

F. M. Law of Bryan, ex-president of the State Alumni Association, was 
the first witness placed on the stand. The line of questions was propounded 
to him as similar as that propounded to Mr. Todd of the Alumni. Mr. Law 
was a member of the committee on charges. He said he did not put forward 
the charges. He said he did not remember who made them; that they were 
compiled in the meeting; that there were many discussions, and he could 
not remember who indulged in the discussion or what anybody said. He 



174 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

said that personally he did not know that there had been any improper con- 
tracts entered into by Dr. Harrington, and that he did not personally know 
anything against Dr. Harrington. 

Judge Scott asked witness if he attended a meeting of the County Alumni 
Association just after the strike, and if he used these words: "Damn the 
Board of Directors and damn the Faculty. I am for the A. and M." Wit- 
ness hesitated, and then replied: "I do not remember to have said that, 
but I will not say that I did not say it." Judge Scott had included in 
the question the statement that members of the Senior Class were present at 
the meeting. Witness said that he did not know members of the class were 
present. 

Mr. Sumners moved to strike that question and answer from the record, 
saying it had no bearing. Chairman Leggett ruled that it should remain on 
record. Mr. Peteet asked witness why he could not be sure at to whether 
he made the statement attributed to him. He replied that he attended sev- 
eral meetings and that feeling ran high at some of them and that such a 
statement might have leaped forth. The witness was then excused. 

Chas. Puryear, Dean. 

Charles Puryear, Dean of the College and professor of mathematics, was 
placed upon the stand. His testimony was very favorable throughout to 
Dr. Harrington. He said that he had been a member of the Faculty for 
nineteen years, had been eighteen years professor of mathematics, and has 
been for one year Dean of the College. The office was created to relieve 
President Harrington of many routine duties; his exercises of such duties 
relieved the President of much contact with the students that had formerly 
been necessary. Witness had not observed any change in the attitude of 
Dr. Harrington in his attitude either toward the Faculty or ihe students 
since he had been here. Dr. Harrington had never tried to interfere with 
the work of the Dean, but had aided materially in the conduct of the depart- 
ment. He said he officed with the President and heard many conversations 
with some of the students and members of the Faculty and the Pi'esident 
treated them all with uniform courtesy. He said that before the strike the 
relations between the President and the students were very friendly so far 
as he knew. He noticed an unfriendlinss on the part of the students to- 
ward the President. He never noticed any discourtesy on the part of Presi- 
dent Harrington toward the Faculty. The student body has increased fifty- 
one per cent since the President had been in charge. The promotion of the 
past year had been one per cent less than during the previous year, although 
the past year was 2 per cent above the per cent two years ago. Asked if he 
believed that good work could be done if the students returned to work next 
session and obeyed the rules, witness replied that he believed it could. 

Judge Scott then asked witness concerning the foot-ball trip to Austin 
when it is charged that President Harrington arranged to make the trip 
over the Hoviston and Texas Central to the dissatisfaction of the student 
body. Witness said he was manager of the foot-ball team and Dean of the 
College, and that Dr. Harrington told him to go ahead and make arrange- 
ments with the railroads to haul the crowd. He said Dr. Harringtorn had 
nothing to do with the making of arrangement for the trip other than to 
turn it over to him, the Dean. 

Witness had nothing to do with arrangements for the Dallas trip and 
did not know who made them. He thought, as Dean, that 9 o'clock was the 
proper time for the students to leave Dallas. He had seen no friction be- 
tween Dr. Harington and Faculty members before the strike. 

Answering Mr. Sumners witness said Dr. Harrington sent for him and 
said a Dean was to be appointed and asked him to accept the place. This 
was the day before he was appointed Dean. His duties had never been 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 175 

fully defined, but he relieves the President of a good many of his duties, and 
since that time the President has been away from the College more, and on 
official business. He had no intimation of the trouble with the student 
body before the petition for Dr. Harrington's removal was filed and had no 
knowledge of the trouble which caused the petition to be filed. Did not 
know if President Harrington telegraphed what time the train should leave 
Dallas. He is a member of the committee to revise the rules, but it has 
not acted, and stated its purpose was not to deal with the existing conditions, 
but principally with regard to athletics and military. Witness did not know 
of anything Dr. Harrington had done to correct existing conditions, but 
said cadets had been punished since the strike for infractions of the rules, 
as usual. 

Questioned about the effect if students returned and President Harrington 
is retained, he replied that there would be some difficulties in the way, but 
that they could be overcome. 

"What was done toward overcoming these difficulties during the past 
session?" 

"Nothing." 

Witness, however, instisted that the difficulties could be overcome in an- 
other session. He had not known of students denying the authority of their 
teachers. After the Junior staff on the Battalion was suspended an order 
was issued to the editor of the paper to submit all matter to the head of the 
English department. Prof. Fountain. A similar rule requiring doubtful 
matter to be thus submitted had fallen into disuse about a year ago. Reply- 
ing to Judge Scott, witness said the Battalion article was improper and that 
it would be "very detrimental" to the school if the president should be re- 
moved without good cause just because the students requested it. 

Two Dromios. 

The next witness was Mr. J. W. Carson, assistant to the director of the 
experiment station and in charge of feed inspection. When he arose to be 
sworn the room was convulsed for several minutes. His brother, treasurer 
of the College, was administering the oath to witnesses, and as the two 
faced each other it reminded one very forcefully of the two Dromios in 
Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors." The resemblance was complete. Each 
was of low build, slightly stout and both of full face, jovial mien and bald 
pate. The proceedings were delayed by the laughter. 

Witness was a graduate of the institution, having been here twenty years 
ago, but his present position dates a little over a year. He had always liked 
Dr. Harrington and had seen no change in his attitude toward student or 
institution, calling him diligent and looking after details as far as possible. 
And the institution has prospered and advanced in its standing as an edu- 
cational institution over the state, and he had opportunity to know, for he 
traveled a great deal, he said. 

Up to the time of the strike witness averred he had heard no complaint 
by the students, and that since then he asked several, and they replied that 
they had no personal grievances. He had been with some classes over the 
state and thus gotten close to the boys and they liked him. This last re- 
mark evoked a titter from the students present. He testified that President 
Harrington treats the boys in a dignified, courteous manner, as a President 
should, and had never heard him speak harshly, nor observed a cold de- 
meanor toward the boys. 

Judge Scott then had the witness detail the deliberations in the meet- 
ing of the Brazos County Alumni of the College, he being a member. He 
said it was called to assist Cadets Neal and Dale in removing an obligation 
the secretary felt they owed the Junior Class before they could return to 
classes. The Board had designated a Wednesday for them to return and at 



176 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

the meeting of the Alumni organization, F. M. Law of Bryan, until recently 
president of the Alumni Association, made a speech and seemed anxious to 
have the boys return to school, but discussing the date of their return, used 
the language: "Damn the Board and damn the Faculty; I am for the A. 
and M. College." 

Continuing, the witness said that he remarked at the meeting that he 
was there to carry out the wishes of the Board and that he believed it best 
not to cross the Board in their efforts to solve the problem. He said Mr. 
Law agreed with him. 

Judge Scott developed the fact that the witness had been so Southwest 
Texas and had a conference with Prof. Green, director of the government 
experiment station at Brownsville, and that while there Prof. Green had 
shown him a letter written by Rev. Mr. Powell, former chaplain of the 
College and chaplain at the time the letter was written. Judge Scott asked 
him to state the contents of the letter. Judge Sumners objected, but the 
chair ruled that the statement could be admitted. Witness said that as 
far as he could remember the letter was something about like this: 

"Dear Prof. Green: I presume that you know something of existius 
conditions at the College. I am writing you to urge that you write to every 
member of the Board except Judge Leggett. Don't write to him. Also write 
to prominent people in the state and urge them to write to members of the 
Board asking or demanding the resignation of Dr. Harrington. There will 
be or is to be a general uprising soon. Act, and act quickly. The Alumni 
is to have a meeting Thanksgiving at Austin. Arise, knight, and do your 
duty." 

The letter, witness said, was signed "Nathan Powell." 

Judge Sumners took the witness on cross examination. Witness said that 
he had gone to Brownsville to see the letter, and on business of his position; 
that he might have gone there anyway, he not knowing the letter was 
there, and he might not. He said he talked to Dr. Harrington and other 
members of the Faculty before he made the trip. He said the State of Texas 
paid his expenses. 

J. L. Thomas. 

J. L. Thomas, assistant of the Department of Agriculture, was the next 
witness. He said that he saw Mr. Puckett with a petition for the recall of 
Dr. Harrington about 9 o'clock in the morning before the strike the next 
day; that Mr. Puckett said he would present the petition to the Board, 
then in session, through the officer of the day. He said the officer of the 
day was a member of the Senior Class. He also said he heard a phone con- 
versation between Prof. Kyle and Mr. Puckett, who was in Dallas at the 
time, in which Prof. Kyle stated that Mr. Puckett need not come down, as 
everything was progressing right. 

Judge Scott asked witness if he knew that Mr. Puckett was the Dallas 
leader of the opposition to Dr. Harrington, and the witness said that he did 
not know anything about Mr. Pittuck. 

Carlos Bee, in behalf of Prof. Kyle, developed the fact that there was no 
effort to conceal the conversation, and Mr. Bee's line of questiong left the im- 
pression that Mr. Pittuck's desire to come here was to get the students to go 
back to school and that the conversation related to that matter. 

E. C. Carlyle, assistant chemist of the experiment station, was the next 
witness. He testified as to the interest which Dr. Harrington had manifested 
in him as a student and in his work as assistant chemist. He stated so far 
as he knew Dr. Harrington's treatment of the students and Faculty had been 
uniformly courteous. 

Prof. N. C. Hamner, assistant chemist of the experiment station, testi- 
fied that just after the strike he heard L. N. Huff a member of the Senior 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 177 

Class, state that the strike would not have occurred had it not been for the 
fight that has been made on Dr. Harrington by some members of the Fac- 
ulty. 

Carlos Bee developed the fact that Huff really said: "The Faculty started 
the fight and quit." Witness, after a close examination by Mr. Bee, said that 
the other statement was merely an impression, and he could not be sure. 

Prof. Spence Recalled. 

Prof. Spence, secretary of the Faculty, was again put on the stand and 
handed in a list of absentees among the Faculty from Faculty meetings dur- 
ing the year, and explained his duties as secretary of the Faculty. 

He testified that last year 10.4 students failed, against 11.1 per cent this 
year. "Witness had observed no lack of ability on the part of President 
Harrington, executive or otherwise, to properly and effectively administer 
the affairs of the College. Witness said it was a hard question to ans^ver 
as to whether good work will be done if the usual proportion of the old 
students return; if they obey the rules and regulations, but believed that 
good work could be done if normal conditions were resumed, such as pre- 
vailed before the trouble. 

To Mr. Sumners witness said good work was impossible if the discipline 
was not maintained. Witness testified that the rules had been in force 
and observed since the strike, the same as before it, with the exception of 
the continued disrespect for the president. Out of some twenty Juniors 
under him all but two passed and they were deficient only in some studies. 
He had no complaint against the work done this year by the classes in 
structural, civil and mechanical engineering nor that of the Senior ci^il en- 
gineers. 

At 11 o'clock the board adjourned until 8 o'clock the next morning. 

LAST DAY OF INVESTIGATION. 

SATURDAY, JUNE 20. 

When the committee got together Saturday morning after some delay, 
owing to a very late session the previous evening, D. E. Mackey, instructor 
in mechanical engineering, was placed on the stand. He said that he came 
to the College last September; that his relations with President Harrington 
had always been pleasant; that Dr. Harrington had not been dictatorial and 
had exhibited a deep interest in his department. He said he had never 
seen Dr. Harrington do anything that would cause the student body not 
to esteem him. 

Judge Scott asked if witness knew Mr. Lear, instructor in the engineering 
department, and learned that Mr. Lear lived in the same house with the 
witness; that he had often heard Mr. Lear express himself as to his views 
on the strike, and that he was a strong sympathizer with the students. 

"State conversations you may have had with Mr. Lear." 

"During the strike he was in and out of my place. He said that the stu- 
dents would undoubtedly win, as part of the Faculty was back of them 
and part of the instructor force." 

"Did he mention any Faculty names?" 

"He mentioned the name of Prof. Kyle, Dr. Brown and Mr. Kidd, who is 
an instructor in the engineering department." 

Witness said that a student named Ford had said that he would not have 
gone into the strike had not it been led by the upper classmen. A Sopho- 
more named Blackmon witness said, told him that he would probably be back 
next year as an investigation was to be held, as the Faculty were backing 
the students, and as President Harrington would be discharged. Witness 
stated that Prof. Lear carried meals to two upper classmen in the electric 



178 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

building while they were under suspension. Witness said that he w^ent to 
Dr. Brown's room in the electrical building during the strike and discovered 
Dr. Brown there with Mr. Lear and Mr. Kidd, and a number of Seniors 
and Juniors; that he backed out, feeling that he was not wanted. He said 
he inferred that they were discussing the strike. 

"Did you ever discuss with Mr. Lear the probable successor of Dr. Har- 
rington?" 

"He said on various occasions that Dr. Brown would be the next Presi- 
dent. He said he hoped he would be, as he expected to get more out of 
Dr. Brown than he had gotten out of Dr. Harrington." 

"Did he say anything about arrangements for a residence?" 

"He said he hoped to get Dr. Brown's house when he became President 
and took Dr. Harrington's house." 

Mr. Sumners took the witness and developed the fact that although he 
lived with Mr. Lear, Mr. Lear probably did not know whether he was a 
student sympathizer or a president sympathizer. He said that he had tried 
to break up the strike, and denied that he had told the students he gloried 
in their spunk "in standing together." He denied that he had said: "When 
the first trunk leaves the depot Dr. Harrington will be fired" He ad- 
admitted on cross-examination that when he came to the College he stated 
that he was a single man, despite the fact that he was married. 

Mr. Bee developed the fact that witness freezes ice cream for Dr. Har- 
rington at times; that whereas he was given only one room when he first 
came here, he now has quarters furnished him and keeps three or four 
boarders and did have as high as fourteen boarders at one time. He got his 
meats, etc., from the mess hall, paying for them and running an account as 
the other professors did. Mr. Bee developed the fact that when witness saw 
members of the Faculty talking to Seniors and Juniors they might have 
been urging the students to go back to work and quit the strike. 

J. T. Cruse, 

The next witness was J. T. Cruse, assistant chemist in the feed control 
department for t'wo and a half years. He testified that he had known Presi- 
dent Harrington all of this time, and the President had never attempted to 
dictate to or interfere with those in charge of his department. He had not 
seen any conduct of the President to produce an ill feeling or disrespect on 
the part of the students, nor any unfriendly conduct nor change in his man- 
manner during the past twelve months different from that aforetime. Up 
to the strike the only grievence he had heard was with regard to the routine 
of the students to the Dallas and Austin football games and the time of their 
departure for home, and no personal complaints had been mentioned at all. 

Witness said that in a general table conversation on the Sunday before 
the Board met he heard Mr. Puckett say that the Board was going to settle 
some differences between President Harrington and Dr. Gilbert. Witness 
then told of the strike, declaring he was greatly surprised, and that upon 
meeting the boys at Foster Hall and asking of the matter, was told that they 
wanted the President out, as he was a thief and a grafter. He asked them 
upon what proof they made such charges, and they indicated that they had 
proof, if given an opportunity to present it. He advised them to return to 
their classes, for if such was true the Board would know it and do the right 
thing. He mentioned several students who were in the conversation, among 
them C. Sims of Waco, E. Smith of Denison, Charles DeWare of Jefferson, 
Cadet Rushmore and T. A. Adams, who came up late. 

Prof. Cruse said that the boys told him that Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Kyle 
were going to be fired, and that they would stick by them to the last and 
prevent it. Subsequently he saw Dr. Gilbert, who said his resignation had 
not been asked for. He then detailed the conversation with Dr. Gilbert, tell- 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 179 

ing him that he believed some professors were helping the boys, and Dr. 
Gilbert asked who. Witness replied that he believed Prof. Kyle was, and 
Dr. Gilbert said he (Gilbert) did not know if it were true, but if Kyle was 
so acting he (Kyle) must be conscientious. Witness said that Dr. Gilbert 
reminded him that all of them were alumni and should stick together. Wit- 
ness also testified that Dr. Gilbert in the conversation said that the Board 
would not see the boys leave, but would remove President Harrington first. 

Prof. Cruse next related a conversation with Cadet Tom Adams, in which 
he asked Adams to use his influence to get the boys to return to work, and 
Adams said he could not, but, upon request, referred him to some who might 
influence them, mentioning Seniors Beasley and Lem Adams. This was at 
night, and feeling that he ought to have some one with him, said he went to 
the rooming house and awoke R. J. Potts and together they sought the boys 
at near midnight and talked with them until close to 2 o'clock in the morn- 
ing. He said they said they had no personal grievance, but reiterated the 
charges of stealing and grafting and wanted an investigation. He and Mr. 
Potts argued with them, showing that if they remained out it might appear 
that it was not an investigation desired, but a forced removal, and exacted a 
promise from them to put the matter in that light before the class on the 
next day. Witness said the Seniors did return to class work next day. The 
Seniors in question made no statement as to the attitude of any members of 
the Faculty, said the witness, but that Mr. Beasley did say that if the Board 
did not remove President Harrington he believed the boys would walk out. 
The attitude of the alumni was discussed with the students, he said, and they 
returned with the understanding that the alumni had "shouldered their 
burdens." 

Witness had no direct conversation with Prof. Kyle about the removal of 
President Harrington, but one day he casually met Prof. Kyle as they were 
going in opposite directions and Prof. Kyle asked if he had heard rumors 
that he (Kyle) was working with the students in the trouble, and told him 
lie had. Prof. Kyle then wanted to know who said it -and witness said he 
knew who it was, but would not tell him, as it would do no good and create 
bad feeling. Prof. Kyle asked if an alumnus said it and witness replied 
negatively. Prof. Kyle then remarked, the witness asserted, that he and 
President Harrington had been mighty good friends, but that the President 
was ruining the institution. 

Prof. Cruse had conversed with Cadet Jesse Dale, who took a prominent 
part in the strike, and asked Mr. Dale to prevail upon the boys to return to 
work. He had no other conversation with students, except as stated, and 
the impression was that the boys understood that in the strike they had the 
sympathy of Dr. Gilbert, Dr. Brown and Prof. Kyle. Witness knew Cadet 
McElroy, but, upon objection, was not permitted to tell of a conversation 
between McElroy and Dr. Brown, McMcElroy being present to testify as to 
that. Witness said Messrs. Dale and Neale told him they were embarrassed 
about returning to class on the Monday fixed because of obligations made to 
the boys of the lower classes. 

Mr. Sumners did not care to ask the witness any questions, and Mr. Bee 
took hold of him, and asked if the boys did not leave the impression that 
they thought Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Kyle would go because they had appeared 
before the Board and then thereafter President Harrington was exonerated, 
and the witness said "No." 

"Did Dr. Gilbert tell you that he was doing everything possible to get the 
boys to go back, and did you not know it?" 

"I did ndt, and he did not say that." 

Witness was asked as to what Dr. Gilbert did say in that connection, and 
replied that Dr. Gilbert said he had seen no professors assisting the boys, 
and "I know I have not done anything." Witness then told of the conver- 



180 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

sation as related to Judge Scott about Prof. Kyle being mentioned and what 
Dr. Gilbert said. 

The witness then voluntarily explained his bearing in the matter, stating 
that at first he knew nothing and had no idea about it, except that he did 
not feel that President Harrington was the bad man pictured by the students, 
but that the boys were so persistent in their charges of stealing and graft he 
did not know what to believe, and told Dr. Gilbert that when he did come to 
a conclusion and make up his mind where he would stand in the matter it 
would be in response to the dictates of his conscience. 

"Is it not true that he, (Gilbert) said in that conversation that it was not 
true and he was anxious to find out who was creating the false impression?" 

"Yes, sir; he said he hadn't had anything to do with it, and he also stated 
the remedy he would apply. He also stated that he and Dr. Harrington had 
been very close friends." 

Witness was asked if he didn't know that Gilbert, Kyle and Brown had 
nothing to do with the trouble. He answered that he would not say they 
had talked with the boys, but his judgment was that they sympathized with 
them, and he didn't think that was right. Witness said that he and R. J. 
Potts went to see Dr. Gilbert at the hospital to get him to call a meeting of 
the local alumni, Gilbert being president of the club, for the purpose of 
seeing if they could not get the boys to go back to work. Dr. Gilbert, wit- 
ness said, declared that there was no use to call the meeting and that the 
boys were right, but he did call the meeting. 

Witness denied that it was true that he sympathized with the boys at the 
trial, but he did not compliment them upon their good behavior. He did not 
tell Dr. Gilbert that every one on the ground wanted to see Harrington re- 
moved, but might have said that all the boys did. He declared that he con- 
demned the action of the students, and told them as much. Asked if Dr. 
Gilbert had said that the boys were right in the steps they had taken, he 
answered "No." He was asked about attending the Houston alumni meeting. 
He said there was much excitement, and the desire was manifested to get 
the boys to go back. A member introduced a resolution to remove Dr. Har- 
rington at once without investigation. Witness counseled them to go slow, 
saying that others were implicated. Witness said on his way to the train 
to go to that meeting. Dr. Gilbert had said to him that the only thing to do 
was to get him out. 

Witness said that he had opposed an investigation, saying that the Board 
would do the right thing at the right time. He had never submitted his in- 
formation to the alumni committee. They had asked him for no information. 
At the meeting of the Alumni Association on June 8, when the charges were 
read, he asked why they were made so personal, why the demand was not 
made for an investigation of the faculty, suggesting that it was improper to 
pitch onto one man. The committee answered that the Board of Directors 
had instructed them to confine their charges to the President. A Mr. Rollins 
had then said that a man in Houston had declared "there were others." 
And Mr. Rollins said if that were true they should be trotted out. Witness 
said he did not think that was the place to trot them out, but contented him- 
self with the general statement he had made, feeling that if there was an 
investigation all of them would be trotted out. 

L. L. Larson. 

L. L. Larson, physical director and instructor in English, was placed on 
the stand. He said he came here in October, 1907, and that he had spent 
three years in the University of Chicago as a student; that he had been 
treated with great courtesy and kindness by Dr. Harrington; that Dr. Har- 
rington had co-operated cordially in the athletic work of the institution and 
was a strong friend of athletics. He said he had no complaint to offer 
against Dr. Harrington in any form whatever. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 181 

Concerning the room problem testified to by Prof. Campbell, Mr. Larson 
said that when he got here, about October 1, Dr. Harrington was "disap- 
pointed and surprised" to find that he was a married man, and that he said 
things were crowded, but that he would have to make other arrangements, 
and would furnish a room as soon as he could. He said that at the end of 
about three weeks a room was furnished him at the home of Mr. Lear, but 
that he later moved to the Shirley House, preferring to remain there and 
pay for the room. He said that he realized that conditions were crowded 
then, and he could not make a complaint and could not feel that he had a 
complaint to offer or a right to complain. 

Witness said that in a conversation he had with a student named De 
Ware just before commencement, discussing the athletic work for the next 
year, the student said that athletics would prosper, as Dr. Harrington was a 
very warm friend of athletics, had been very favorable to it, and would be. 
Witness said he had never conversed with a student who said that he had a 
personal grievance against the president. 

Witness referred to a time when he had conversed with Students Harris, 
Allen, Utay and Standifer at his home. One of the four said in the conver- 
sation that the Faculty had gotten them into the strike and backed down. 
Witness said one of the four called the Faculty "pikers." 

Questions by counsel developed the fact that "piker" meant "quitter," but 
Mr. Bee later insisted that piker, as he understood it, either meant a man 
who did not start or, after starting, quit the game, which was admitted as 
the meaning of the College term. 

Witness said that a student named Utay who went out on strike came 
back and was reinstated, afterward resigning from the College before the 
close, said to witness that he "felt ashamed to look the President in the face" 
after what had happened; that he had never voted at any meeting on any 
question at all. (Utay was not a Senior but attended their meetings as he 
had been at College four years.) 

Witness said he talked with a number. of students concerning their re- 
turn to school, some of them saying that they could come back and others 
would not come back. 

Judge Scott then asked witness if any members of the Faculty had come 
to him advising him not to testify in the investigation. Witness replied in 
the affirmative. Asked for the name of the Faculty member, he said he 
would rather not disclose it, unless the board insisted. He said that the 
member of the Faculty giving him this advice had already testified in the 
case when he gave the advice. Mr. Peteet said that if a member of the 
Faculty gave any such advice as that he desired to know his name, unless it 
meant a very great violation of confidence. The Board voted and all wanted 
the name, whereupon witness said that it was Prof. Campbell who came to 
him last Thursday morning. 

"He came as a fraternity brother, saying he wanted to tell me something 
that affected me. I told him to go ahead. - He said the students felt very 
bitter against me because of the part I had taken. I said that I didn't think 
they should feel bitter against me. He said that $400 of my salary was paid 
by the students. I said that I didn't think I had anything to fear. He said 
that he had information that if I testified a bombshell would be exploded 
under me that would follow me all my life. I said: 'Professor, I have 
tried to act straight since I have been here, and have tried to do what waa 
right. I have no physical or moral fear.' It is my personal opinion that 
Prof. Campbell is very easily frightened and that he had talked to some per- 
sons of irresponsible nature, and had begun to fear for my welfare. I don't 
think the warning was well grounded." It was thoroughly developed to the 
satisfaction of the Board that Prof. Campbell did not give witness the advice 
in order to suppress any testimony. It was established that his motive was 



182 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

one of friendliness toward the witness, and he was afraid that something 
would happen to witness if he testified. 

Judge Sumners took the witness and asked him if he expected to remain 
connected with the College. He said he could not say definitely whether he 
would be here next year or not. Witness stated that .he was the fraternity 
brother of Prof. Campbell, and when questioned by Judge Green, said that 
the "frat" was the Phi Delta Theta. Judge Sumners asked how it happened 
that the confidential communication from his fraternity brother got to the 
attorney for the defense. Witness replied that he gave the information to 
several people, speaking of it laughingly, saying that among those he spoke 
to were Mr. Carson, Dr. Fountain and others. Asked if he knew that Dr. 
Fountain was closely attendant upon the investigation as a friend of Dr. 
Harrington, and if Dr. Fountain assisted him, witness replied that he knew 
he was attendant upon the investigation, but did not know that he was taking 
any part in the investigation. He said he told Prof. Kyle of the incident, 
and Prof. Kyle advised him to go ahead and testify, ignoring the warning. 
He had talked to Judge Scott about the matter before he told Prof. Fountain. 
He did not regard the communication as in anywise confidential. 

A. T. Potts. 

A. T. Potts, graduate in June, 1907, and vice-president of his class, testified 
that at the time of his graduation he heard nothing of a petition being pre- 
pared by the Senior Class or having been prepared, asking for the removal 
of President Harrington. He said the first he heard of the rumor was from 
J. W. Carson in July, '07. There were no other questions. 

R. J. Potts. 

R. J. Potts was the next witness. He is an instructor in mathematics 
and was present during the strike, and had been present during a -conversa- 
tion in which the student assistant. Puckett, mentioned the report relative to 
Prof. Kyle and Dr. Gilbert being_ farced to resign. The conversation started 
with Prof. Alvord present, who remarked that the students had no grievance 
and then left. After he had gone Witness Puckett exclaimed: "Hell, they 
haven't any grievance." Witness said that Puckett stated that the Board 
had requested the resignation of Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Kyle. 

Questioned by Mr. ^ee, witness said he had not heard Gilbert or Kyle 
say they had been requested to resign, but had only heard Puckett's state- 
ment. 

C. B. Abercrombie. 

C. B. Abercrombie, a resident of Bryan since November, 1900, testified 
that during the strike some dozen or more students rented a house near his 
residence in Bryan and "batched." He had a great deal of curiosity, and in- 
terviewed every student he could as to the strike, its causes, their methods, 
etc. Ordinarily his sympathies were naturally with the boys, and had asked 
each one what grievance he had against Dr. Harrington. Not one of them 
had a personal grievance or complaint, though he talked to from fifteen to 
thirty-five or forty boys. He asked why they then went on a strike, and 
each answered about the same, to the effect that since they were in it and 
organized, they could see no way of relieving themselves of a personal pledge; 
that they were bound by their organization. He asked them who started 
the strike, and how it started. Each one answered that it was not started in 
the student body, but it came from complaints of outsiders. He said the 
students named the outsiders in nearly every instance. He could not repeat 
the names. To attempt to recall them might wrongfully injure somebody. 
The parties named by the students had been connected with the institution, 
he said, but he would rather not name them. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 183 

Cross-examined by Judge Sumners, witness refused to give the names of 
the persons, and could not remember the names of the boys who told him. 
All of the persons referred to by the students, he said, had left the College. 
Witness said he kept books of E. J. Fountain, brother of the professor of 
English at the College, and a very close friend of Dr. Harrington. 

John Avery Lomax. 

When the afternoon session convened John A. Lomax, member of the 
Faculty, went upon the stand. He had been at the College for five years. 
He testified that he had never seen anything to indicate that Dr. Harring- 
ton was cold and harsh and unfriendly; that he took an interest in the stu- 
dents; that he had heard him make foot-ball speeches, Y. M. C. A. speeches, 
and speeches before other College meetings. He had seen several College 
Presidents more approachable and one or two of very much the same type. 
Witness, concerning causes of the strike, said that he had heard young 
Leggett, as a personal grievance, complain because the president had repri- 
manded him for an article that appeared in the College paper. This was 
a month before the strike. After the strike witness talked to men of all 
classes; that young Holloway gave as a grievance the complaint already 
in the record by him; that Mr. Jones, a Senior, claimed to have two griev- 
ances, one that Dr. Harrington had favored a rival dancing class to the one 
headed by Jones. Witness said Jones stated Dr. Harrington had granted the 
other class a privilege he did not grant Jones' class. The other complaint was 
Dr. Harrington had discriminated against Co. D baseball team in favor of Co. 
B in the matter of giving baseball grounds; that while the President had not 
discriminated at the time Jones related the incident. Jones felt, from indi- 
cations, that it would be done. A student named Coleman related a griev- 
ance, saying he had asked Dr. Harrington to permit him to go to Bryan, 
and the latter had suggested that he should get a permit from his parents if 
he wanted to go to Bryan when he pleased. He felt that this was insulting. 
Witness said those were all the grievances he heard, although he went 
among the students for that purpose. He talked with probably 100 students. 

Witness said he talked with many students as to the cause of the strike, 
and that Student Holmes of Seguin said that the major portion of the Fac- 
ulty were in sympathy with the students. "He asked me if I didn't know 
that to be true. I replied negatively. 

Witness said a student named Gist called upon him and asked if he 
thought the Board was going to remove Dr. Harrington. "He told me that 
the school would be badly injured if Dr. Harrington was not removed. He 
said he thought the students would be willing for all of the Faculty to hold 
their positions after the removal of Dr. Harrington with the exception of Dr. 
Fountain. He did not give the reason for excepting Mr. Fountain. Refer- 
ring back to Mr. Coleman, I recall that I asked him if it had occurred to him 
that he was persecuting an innocent man. He said he had thought of that 
the previous night and couldn't sleep. "If Dr. Harrington is proven inno- 
cent I don't expect to live in Texas. I shall leave the state." Witness said 
Coleman made the foregoing statement. 

Witness testified that he visited the tent of a Freshman, Mr. Pool, the 
morning of the strike when students failed to come to classes. He asked 
Pool why he did not report. Pool said that a party of Seniors had come to 
him the previous night, had awakened him and told him not to go to classes 
the following day. Pool was a man six feet tall and built in proportion. "I 
suggested," said the witness, "that he go on up with me; that I would spend 
the entire day teaching him. He said he could not go; that he was afraid 
to go. I told him I did not think anybody would hurt him, and he replied 
that he would charge a fort with me, but that he would not go to that main 
building that day. He was evidently afraid of physical violence." 

Witness testified that he attended the alumni meeting at the College 



184 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

chapel in February, at which about seventy-five students were present. Prof. 
Kyle made a speech there and said, among other things, that after a long 
consideration of the matter he had come to the conclusion that President 
Harrington would ruin the A. and M. College. "In urging the students to 
remain in the College," said witness, "Prof. Kyle said that he and Dr. Gilbert, 
after a long conference, had decided to hand in their resignations, but that 
subsequently they came to the conclusion that that was exactly what Presi- 
dent Harrington wanted them to do. Then he called on the students to re- 
main and assist him in the fight .on President Harrington." Witness stated 
that he later told the incident to several people and condemned what Prof. 
Kyle had said, and later came to the conclusion that he had done Prof. Kyle 
and injustice in skeaking of the matter; that they had been good friends, 
and he called upon the professor in the matter. Prof. Kyle told witness that 
he had done him an injustice and had interpreted his remarks wrong. 

"I then wrote to the Board stating that I did not want the Board -to form 
a conclusion until they had heard my testimony and that of Prof. Kyle. 

"I would not have written had I not felt that I might have done Prof. 
Kyle an injustice and had misinterpreted his remarks. There was no dis- 
pute as to the words Prof. Kyle used. It was a dispute as to interpretation. 
I regret to have to make this testimony, as Prof. Kyle is and has been a good 
friend of mine, and I so regard him today." 

On cross-examination, witness, when asked if Dr. Harrington was cold 
and austere, said that he regarded Dr. Harrington as dignified and distant 
with all but his intimate friends. Witness said he saw nothing personally 
to indicate that Mr. Puckett was a go-between and had no personal knowledge 
that the Faculty was aiding the students. Witness, when pressed by Mr. 
Bee, stuck to the statement that Prof. Kyle had said that he wanted the stu- 
dents to stay and help him in the fight on Dr. Harrington. 

He said it took strong persuasion to keep the students, as the boys were 
very bitter toward Dr. Harrington, and the alumni did everything humanly 
possible to do to keep the boys at the College; that is, retain the remnant 
which had not gone when the alumni arrived. Some of them left anyway. 
A Freshman to whom he made a personal appeal promised to stay, but went 
out on the first train. 

Answering Mr. Sumners, witness said Prof. Kyle was present at the meet- 
ing in the chapel attended by the students and the committee from the Hous- 
ton Alumni. He said at the time of the trouble he thought the prime thing 
was to get the boys back at work and then adjust matters, but they were 
convinced that they had a great grievance and would not be dissuaded from 
going. He does not now think that was the best method. The first feeling 
was against President Harrington, but later the students developed a spirit 
of suspicion. "Even now the feeling is bitter against the President and is 
fixed." 

Witness did not know of any policy emanating from the President to cure 
the troubles. The President was very popular at the end of his first year. 
Witness then spent a year at Harvard and did not notice any change immedi- 
ately upon returning, but later became aware of it from a conversation had 
with President Legett of the Junior Class. Young Legett was prominent in 
Y. M. C. A. work, answered the witness. 

J. M. Carson. 

John M. Carson, treasurer, was recalled and testified that the salary of 
the director of the experiment station was $3,500 previous to Dr. Harring- 
ton's election thereto, but that Dr. Harrington never drew it, after his elec- 
tion as director. The position of dean was created to relieve the President 
of some of his duties so that he could perform the duties of director of the 
experiment station. Prof. Puryear was elected dean when he was professor 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 185 

of mathematics and received an additional $450 to his former salary of $2,200 
which he continued to receive. 

Director Mclnnis interrupted the examination and stated that the testi- 
mony was really irrelevant, and further that the matters testified to are 
under control of the Board and known to it, and about some of which Mr. 
Carson could tell absolutely nothing. Also that because of the last some of 
the testimony given was at variance with the minutes of past meetings of 
the board of directors. 

This stopped the testimony and Chairman Legett said that the records 
should contain the exact facts, and he gave them as being that the Board 
first offered $3,000 as salary for the director and no suitable man could be 
gotten. Then it made it $3,500, and still none could be found, after which 
it was decided to attach its duties to those of the President and allow $500 
out of the feed control fund as payment of the salary, (the rest of the $3,500 
pays the vice-director.) 

Mr. Carson said after an absence from the College he had not noticed any 
change in Prof. Harrington and had heard no complaint against the Presi- 
dent until the strike. He had been with the President frequently and con- 
sidered his demeanor friendly. He then told of Victor Kelly coming in and 
asking for permission to go to the circus in Hearne, and Prof. Harrington 
answered: "I can not grant you a furlough." That Kelly had winked at 
witness when "circus" was mentioned. Witness did not think the President's 
manner or tone harsh, angry or austere. That when he and students went 
in to see the President, Prof. Harrington usually saw the students first and 
made him wait. 

Witness then told of a voucher for $240 which had been turned down. 

It was for material furnished to Dr. Brown's department by the telephone 
company of which Dr. Brown was president. It was handed in by Prof. 
Spence, seci-etary and treasurer of the College Telephone Company. Witness 
held it up because he thought it "steep," and said he would present it to the 
President, and if they approved it would go through all right. He said the 
President refused to approve it, and nothing more had been heard from it. 
President Harrington had not interfered with him nor been dictatorial in 
administering matters in his department. He said none of the students 
have assigned reasons for disliking the President. 

The matter of a $10 check claimed not to have been credited to a boy was 
gone into on account of an affidavit to that one presented by W. L. Maury of 
Palestine. The affidavit said affiant had sent a check for $10 for the credit of 
his son and learned on April 21 that the credit had not been given. Witness 
explained how the checks and credits are handled, some being paid over the 
counter and some of them did not require the signatures of the students. 
That after the boy made his claims he looked up the matter and not finding 
the credit gave him, on May 11, an allowance on his book account of $5.50 in 
cash, with a credit entry of $4, which was later drawn out. He said the 
check was later found and indorsed with his stamp, showing it had passed 
through his office, but the indorsements were at variance with the boy's 
claim, hence he had paid the $10 to him out of his own pocket. He would 
not undertake to say that the boy cashed the check. The affidavit was made 
on May 28, though he gave the boy the allowance on May 11. 

C, P. Fountain. 

C. P. Fountain, professor of English for eight years in the institution and 
knowing Prof. Harrington intimately, testified that he had noticed no cold, 
harsh or unfriendly conduct on the part of the President toward the students 
or any change in the attitude of President Harrington during the past year 
different from a former time. The President had shown no disposition to 
interfere with the English department, and asserted that the President had 
exhibited interest and zeal for the welfare of the institution, stating that it 



186 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

was "most decidedly" apparent. He said the institution lias prospered under 
Prof. Harrington, and that up to the strike the boys had been doing as good 
work as in former years. They had made no complaint up to that time, and 
before then he knew of no unfriendly feeling, disrespect or lack of confidence 
in the President. "Witness said he had tried to talk to a few of the boys to 
ascertain the cause of their feelings, but they were not disposed to talk and 
he discontinued his efforts. He had been an educator for fifteen or twenty 
years. 

Replying to Mr. Sumners witness said he had not talked to the students 
much since the strike, as they were so opposed to talking. He acknowledged 
that he was an intimate friend of President Harrington. The first intima- 
tion of ill feeling on the part of the students came to him on the evening 
before the strike. 

Judge Sumners asked witness who supervised the publication of the Bat- 
talion. Witness replied that it had been customary for several years for 
some one connected with the College to overlook the material that went into 
the publication, but the custom was dropped for a while and later taken up, 
and that young Holloway went to the witness, submitting material. "I told 
him." said witness, "that he need not come to me with material except in 
case of doubt." Witness said he knew nothing about the matter for which 
the Juniors were suspended, as he never saw it before it was published. 
Asked what had been done since the strike, witness replied, that a committee 
had been appointed to look into the affair and that this committee had been 
charged with the duty of making a full report on all relations of the stu- 
dents to the school, that it had not met as yet, but that individual members 
were making investigations. 

Asked if he, in speaking to he Senior Class during the strike, made the 
following statement: "This school can get along without the present stu- 
dent body; there are 20,000 other boys that want to come here," witness re- 
plied that he made some such statement. He was excused. 

J. T. Maloney, a hotel keeper at Bryan, said that in conversations he had 
had with students about the time of the strike, he had not heard one of them 
mention a personal grievance. He said that a student named Casey came 
into his hotel one night with two other students he 4.id not know and an- 
other young man who he did not think was a student, but had been, and was 
now doing engineering work, and Casey said to this stranger: "If we can 
just go through four or five days more it will be all right. Some people out 
there are keeping me posted." 

"Did he mention the names of those keeping him posted?" 

"He said it was Dr. Gilbert." 

Mr. Bee developed that the witness did not have any idea what the re- 
marks referred to. 

It turned out that Casey and the old student were talking about the 
Alumni Banquet that, for a week hung in the balance on account of Dr. 
Harrington, as testified to by Prof. Mitchell. 

S. E. Andrews. 

S. E. Andrews, secretary of the Board and secretary of the President, 
testified that requests for catalogues of the College have been received to the 
number of about 420, which is a greater number of requests than had been 
received at the same time last year. 

Judge Scott then introduced the resignations of L. W. Jones and J. G. 
Foster, bearing no notations whatever, saying that he desired to show that 
the statements contained in the affidavits read yesterday were incorrect. 
The statements referred to were that the boys had left on account of sick- 
ness and were not refunded their portion of the maintenance fund, although, 
being sick, they were entitled to it. Judge Scott pointed out that there was 
nothing specifying sickness in the resignations. Concerning the statements 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 187 

that Dr. Harrington did not reply to the letters of J. L. Jones and Mr. Foster 
regarding these refunds. Judge Scott presented carbon copies of the two let- 
ters as written, explaining about the refund. 

The secretary testified that he wrote the letters, and also that a telegram 
was sent to Mr. Foster, but that the telegram was returned undelivered. 
Witness was excused. 

E. J. Smith. 

E. J. Smith of Denison, graduated in 1888, and who had a son in College 
during the past two sessions, was the next witness and was asked to explain 
the formulation of suggestions filed with the Board. He told of the Alumni 
meeting in Houston. Its deliberations were published broadcast. After an 
all-day session resolutions were passed which were not given to the public, 
but filed with the Board; also a message sent to the students to return to 
work, promising them a full and exhaustive investigation. The committee 
was appointed to draw the suggestions of subjects for investigations, and the 
result of their labors is what is before the Board. 

Judge Scott then asked as to the meetings in Bryan of the committee and 
with the Alumni at the College on Monday, the committee assuming respon- 
sibility only for charge 13, such action having been determined at the Bryan 
meeting on the Sunday before commencement. He was asked who prepared 
them and replied: "If you are seeking personal responsibility I am willing 
to answer all of your questions, but if it is general information I will say 
the committee." 

Judge Scott explained that he desired to know who composed parts of the 
documents and read that relating to alleged gross irregularity, asking who 
did the writing, and witness answered: 

"I did." 

Answering Judge Scott, witness said he did not base his information upon 
personal knowledge, but got it from a publication circulated over Texas, 
known as the Hittite, a monthly published at Dallas. He had not seen a 
copy before or since the number containing the charges in question. He 
read out the names of the Hittite staff, including that of a lady whom he 
had known for years. He knew nothing about the other members of the 
staff, but said he knew this lady and thought that anything she was con- 
nected with was responsible. He said he had made no effort to get any 
statement from Treasurer Carson or other officers of the College about the 
alleged irregularities. The charges were published in the press the day fol- 
lowing their filing, but he did not give them out and did not know who did. 

Director Peteet asked witness if he would give the Board a memorandum 
of the facts substantiating each charg.e that he might have in his possession. 
He said he would not, as he did not care to volunteer anything, but would 
cheerfully give all he knew when asked specific questions. 

Mr. Peteet then made it clear that he desired names of witnesses relied 
upon or responsible for the several charges, and witness said he would fur- 
nish them. He prefaced it by stating that he was very much interested In 
the institution, both as a graduate and because of his boy being a cadet 
therein, and whatever he amounts to he knows he owes the A. and M. much. 
Because of this he had possibly spent more time and money than any other 
man in Texas to keep the old College inviolate and render it all the aid 
possible and continue on its upbuilding. He averred the charges were pre- 
pared in all seriousness and as a careful lawyer would write them, and that 
he stood ready to give all the information he possessed, and stood respon- 
sible for all he said. He gave a list of the witnesses under each of the first 
twelve counts, starting with the first and mentioning Bert Hull, a graduate 
of 1904, who had complained that he was assaulted with a shotgun. Mr. 
Peteet suggested that no explanations be made, but only names of witnesses. 
This was carried out, and he added W. B. Philpott, a former professor, to those 



188 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

under charge 1, T. W. Larkin of Denison, fifteen or twenty students whose 
names he could not remember, and a gentleman connected with the United 
States service in locating experiment farms, but whose name had escaped 
him. 

The other witnesses by charges follow: 

No. 2. W. B. Philpott. 

No. 3. Bert Hull. 

No. 4. From conversations with members of the Alumni Association at 
Houston and elsewhere and some Seniors, including Cadets Dale and Beasley. 

No. 5. Same source of information. 

No. 6. C. S. Mitchell of Dallas, J. M. Carson of College and Howard 
Hanna, of Denison. 

No. 7. Individual knowledge and information from students at the Col- 
lege. 

No. 8. His own responsibility and knowledge as a patron of the institu- 
tion. 

No. 9. Conversations with members of the graduation class in the spring. 

No. 10. Information from the Hittite. 

No. 11. Actual facts existing at the time of the strike and prior thereto, 
supported by statements of persons and students. 

No. 12. The several published statements relative to President Harring- 
ton's Austin interview, a denial thereof and the Battalion article. It was 
learned from Prof. Smith that Prof. Philpot had recently died. 

Judge Scott asked about charge No. 7, relative to withholding part of 
Maintenance fund, and witness said he knew the facts of his own knowledge, 
as he had a boy at school and the unused part of his maintenance fund of the 
session of 1906-07 was not returned to him until after the strike in the ses- 
sion of 1907-08. 

As to this charge witness acknowledged that he had placed the responsi- 
bility upon Harrington because he was president of the college. Concerning 
the charge as to the misuse of the trust funds, he said that last August 
Treasurer Carson had sent him a check for $1.75, retaining the remainder 
of his son's $5 deposit, although there was no claim for breakage done by 
his son. He insisted that a charge for breakage should not have been 
against the entire corps, but against the individuals or the troops respon- 
sible for same. As to the charge about President Harrington being wanting 
in executive ability he said he was at the College upon the occasion of the 
laying of the corner stone of the new dormitory, upon which day the Presi- 
dent was hanged in effigy, and that he witnessed a sad sight when later in 
the day the President arose to address the Student Body, and when through, 
they received him in cold silence, and he could see they were miles and 
miles apart. 

Judge Scott asked witness if he had given tne attorney for the Alumni 
Association the names of the witnesses he had now given the Board, but Mr. 
Smith claimed his privilege as a client. He was asked if he had previously 
given the Board the names of these witnesses. 

"Judge, you must not put me in the attitude of a prosecutor," was the 
answer. 

"I did not." 

"That is all," said Judge. Scott. 

Answering Judge Sumners, witness acknowledged that he had written 
the letter to President Harrington introduced in evidence yesterday in which 
he thanked President Harrington for the fatherly interest he had shown in 
his son. He explained that early in December his son's report had shown 
demerit marks. He wrote to Dr. Harrington for an explanation, and Dr. 
Harrington replied in a way which he liked, and he had then written the 
letter before the Board. 

Judge Sumners here announced that he had no further direct testimony 
to present at that time. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 189 

Judge Scott said that he was going to put Dr. Harrington on the stand 
and he desired a few minutes' conference with him first. In answer Judge 
Haidusek as usual made a motion to adjourn as he went out the door, and 
Judge Leggett yelled at him to be back at 8 o'clock. 

Harrington Would Not Testify. 

The investigation committee reconvened at 8 p. m. and Judge Scott 
announced that the defense had decided that Dr .Harrington would not go 
on the stand, inasmuch as it was felt that he had no information that 
was not already in the hands of the Board. This was very disappointing 
to the prosecution, considering the points that had not been asked other 
witnesses, but were saved especially for the President. The prosecution 
announced that it would rest. 

Judge Scott announced that there was one question in the deposition 
of Miss Davis that he would make public in which she stated that in a 
conversation she overheard Mr. Manness, a student, say that he came 
back to his classes on the advice of Dr. Brown. Miss Davis claimed that 
the other matters asked about were confidential, and declined to answer 
them. 

F. M. Law of Bryan, ex-President of the Alumni Association, was 
placed again on the stand by Mr. Bee. He testified as to the part which 
Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Kyle took as to the strike, and said that in every 
speech they made, whether in public or private, they urged the students 
to return to the College. He gave details to show that their attitude was 
entirely proper. Witness said that he wished to correct a portion of his 
testimony made previously in which he was not certain as to a statement. 
He desired to say that at an Alumni meeting he did say "Damn the Board; 
damn the Faculty; I am for the A. and M." 

R. C. Watkins of Houston, President of the Aluinni Association, said 
that he had never seen or heard Dr. Gilbert or Prof. Kyle do or say any- 
thing that did not indicate that they were heartily in earnest in their 
efforts to induce the students to return to the College. Witness said that 
he did not hear Prof. Kyle in a speech make the statement that the stu- 
dents should return to the College to keep up the fight on Dr. Harrington. 
He said that at the meeting the Faculty was so pleased with the position 
of Prof. Kyle that Mr. Cravens asked Prof. Kyle to remain and make the 
final appeal to the students. 

Mr. Sumners offered the affidavit of Cadet Gilson of Calvert, denying 
that he told anybody that he intended returning to College next session; 
that he must have been confused with some other person, for he "had 
no intention or desire" to return. It was admitted. 

Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Kyle- 
Mr. Bee called Capt. Moses, commandant of Cadets, who testified in 
the same channels as Messrs. Law and Watkins, that Dr. Gilbert and 
Prof. Kyle had not aided the boys in the strike, but deplored it and 
did all they could to get them to return to their classes, Dr. Gilbert remark- 
ing that he was afraid that his past differences with the President might 
cause his attitude to be misconstrued. 

Prof. Giesecke also testified that they did all they could to make the 
boys return, and Prof. Ball gave similar testimony, adding the name of 
Dr. Brown as also having made such efforts. Dr. Ball said a student told 
him that the strike was not brought on by* the rumor of dismissal of Dr. 
Gilbert and Prof. Kyle, that it had nothing to do with it, and that the strike 
would have occurred without the rumor. 

It was agreed that the record should show that Dr. Harrington paid 
for the ice cream furnished him by the witness, Mackey, who testified this 



190 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

morning. Mr. Bee said he didn't care whether or not it was paid for, he 
only wanted it understood that Mackey was an ice cream freezer. 

Dr. Joe Gilbert, surgeon and health officer at the College for two 
years, was sworn. It was agreed that the story of the past differences 
between Dr. Gilbert and President Harrington would not be repeated, as 
it had been told to the Board at its former investigation. Continuing, 
Dr. Gilbert said he had left a sick call to attend the Faculty meeting on 
morning of the strike, at which time committees were appointed to see 
if conditions could not be abated. He said he advised the students that 
they did wrong in not returning to classes, and that he had told Director 
Milner of his efforts to get the boys to return. On Monday he heard that 
the Senior Class would return, and that he immediately endeavored to 
persuade the Juniors to agree to return. On Sunday, the Alumni Club, of 
which he is President, met and appointed committees looking to co-opera- 
tion with the Board in restoring normal conditions. 

Gilbert Did Not Aid Strike. 

He said he did not assist in the strike in any way nor had he . any 
intimation of it before it came, having been completely surprised by it- 
He was driving when the band left the drill field playing "Home, Sweet 
Home," when he learned of the action taken by the Board sustaining 
President Harrington, and did not see a student until the next morning. 
He said he did not consider his trouble with Dr. Harrington as having 
anything to do with the conditions as he understood it to be finally adjusted 
and all differences settled by the action of the Board on the preceding 
day. He had no go-between to hear from the students as to preparation and 
progress, but all he did "was in the open, as everybody knows." 

Witness repeated to Judge Scott that he deemed»his differences with 
and that there was nothing more to it. He said that he had not heard 
the rumor among the students that he was to be removed. 

Answering Mr. Bee, witness said he saw a number of students at that 
time, as there was quite a lot of sickness and he was kept busy. He 
said he was informed the Senior Class had passed resolutions of commen- 
dation for him and the nurses at the hospital and were going to have 
them published, but he stopped it by sending word not to do so, as he did 
not wish any notoriety. 

Director Peteet asked if in a letter to John W. Hornsby of Austin 
witness did not state that he was going to keep up his fight on President 
Harrington. Dr. Gilbert said he did not think he did. 

Mr. Petet — Do you object to having that letter presented and made 
public? 

Dr. Gilbert — I would rather not, because it was written to a relative, 
Mr. Hornsby being my cousin, and I do not remember what it contained, 
personal or otherwise. 

T. D. McElroy, 

T. D. McElroy, who graduated at the College this year, and who was 
in Professor Kyle's class for four years, testified that upon the morning 
the Seniors presented to the Board their petition asking for the removal 
of President Harrington, he met Professor Kyle and asked him about the 
trouble at the College, and that Professor Kyle answered he would rather 
not talk. After the strike the Seniors were getting up evidence to support 
the petition. They put him on a committee against his protest and sent 
him to Professor Kyle to get his evidence. Professor Kyle said to him: 
"A member of the Faculty can't talk to students." 

Witness said he had never heard any of the students claim they had 
been influenced by Professor Kyle and Brown or Dr. Gilbert to go on strike. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



191 



The witness was subjected to a searching cross-examinaation by Judge 
Scott. He disclaimed all knowledge of a class oath, but declai-ed it was 
always understood that no class action was to be disclosed. After such 
questioning witness admitted that he had believed the students had the 
sympathy of certain members of the Faculty in the strike, and he still 
believed so to some extent. He had no idea as to who sympathized with 
them or who was against them. He was against them. He was sure 
only of Professor Fountain, whom he knew was not in sympathy with them. 
They had not decided to get Professor Fountain's scalp next. He denied 
that the Senior Class had made up a list of professors whom they felt they 
could rely upon to back them up. 

Prof. Kyle was again placed upon the stand by Mr. Bee. He spoke of 
his work with the students, saying that he endeavored constantly to get 
them to return to the school. He said he made several speeches in which 
he urged, and flattered himself that he had made good speeches. "I told 
the students that I thought they ought to accept my advice. In reference 





DR. N. H. BROWN 

Late head of E. E. Department. 



FELIX PUCKETT 

Student- Assistant. 



to what Dr. Lomax said, I did say that Dr. Gilbert and I had considered 
resigning, but I also stated that for the good of. the College we had decided 
not to resign. Concerning the statement made by Mr. Cruse that I had 
made a remark concerning Dr. Harrington, I met Mr. Cruse, and he said he 
understood that I was encouraging the boys. I asked him where he got 
his information. He said some one told him about it, but refused to give 
me the name. The conversation was about as Mr. Cruse gave it, except 
that I don't remember whether I said that Dr. Harrington was ruining 
the school or not. Witness said that Mr. Puckett never served him as a 
go-between with the students. Witness said he talked to Mr. Pittuck in 
Dallas, as testified by Mr. Thomas, but that it was concerning the intention 
of Mr. Pittuck to come to the College to urge the students to come back 
to work. "I advised him," said witness, "that things were running along 
all right and it wouldn't be necessary for him to come down." Mr. Pittuck 
called him up. 

Dr. Brown was placed on the stand in connection with the statement of 
Mr. Mackey that he had come upon Dr. Brown during the strike in con- 
versation with Senior Class men. Dr. Brown said that he was attending a 



192 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

class of fifth year men he wa? teaching. These men did not strike, and 
were reciting that day. 

Mr. Bee offered in evidence nineteen affidavits from members of the 
class under Prof. Kyle. There were thirty-threft students in this class. 
The affidavits testified that Prof. Kyle had never sought to influence 
them in their opinions of Dr. Harrington, and that he had urged them 
to come back to school during the strike, without exception. 

At i0:30 p. m. the Board adjourned. 

A Board Announcement, 

Judge Legett, Chairman of the Board, made the following announce- 
ment: "The Board of Directors may press this investigation further, 
but in view of the fact that we have been away from our homes for many 
days, we will not continue it at this time. We will make a finding and 
render a verdict on the pleadings and evidence submitted." 

An executive meeting was held by the Board, following which the Chair- 
man announced the decision made to go to Marlin for Monday's session. 
Judge Scott said the defense would be willing to submit its case without 
argument, but the Board said it would prefer to have the arguments. 

The following resolution was passed: 

"Be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the Agricultural and Me- 
chanical College of Texas, That we extend to the daily press of the State 
our thanks for the full, fair and impartial reports of the College investi- 
gation." 

A SUMMARY. 

As if waiting for the attorneys to prepare and present their arguments, 
and for the decision of the Board, let us take a glance back over the in- 
vestigation, to see what each side contended for and what was presented 
or brought out to back up their claims. 

Primarily the Alumni and patrons contended that there was a "condi- 
tion" existing at College that should not be tolerated. The patrons were 
unanimous in saying that Harrington was responsible and should without 
investigation be removed. The Alumni were more conservative and had 
asked for and obtained a public hearing. 

The Alumni claimed that Dr.. Harrington and his conduct was solely 
responsible for the conditions and that his removal would settle the matter. 

Dr. Harrington's attorney did not deny the said "condition," nor did 
he deny that Dr. Harrington's removal would end it. But he did contend 
that Dr. Harrington was not responsible and therefore should not be made 
to suffer for what he characterized as a conspiracy originating outside of 
the Student Body, instigated, led and controlled by past and present mem- 
bers of the Faculty, some of whom aspired to the presidency. 

And he further contended that there was a remedy, other than the 
removal of the President, which was the removal of all connected with the 
institution that were not partisan to the President, and by giving the Presi- 
dent more authority. 

Now, who proved their contentions? We will see later. 

From the first the student witness, Dr. Harrington's counsel tried by 
holding up "hazing" to create sentiment against the boys, but failed as 
no one had ever been hurt by it, and since all the students who had under- 
gone it considered that it "made a man of the one hazed." By Prof. 
Alvord, a star witness for Dr. Harrington, it was shown that hazing was 
practiced in all colleges. He said further "that the extent to which it 
is sometimes carried and the element of viciousness in it was what caused 
its condemnation, though otherwise it was not bad." The lack of harmony 
esteem, confidence and >-espect between students and President was 
nowhere denied by any witness, so it is unnecessary to mention any witness 



HISTORY OP THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 193 

in particular, and before the hearing was half over, Judge Haidusek, a mem- 
ber of tne Board, said: "I object to that question because it has been asked 
of every witness who has been on the stand and the facts therein established 
in our minds, and it should not be repeatedly asked after having been gone 
over so elaborately." 

Dr. Harrington's unjustified interference with the College publications 
was conclusively proven by Mr. Holloway. 

As to the probabil'ty of good work being done another year if Dr. 
Harrington was retained, there was evidence on both sides of the con- 
tention, but if one will study the evidence concerning this, noting the 
names of the witnesses and then consult a catalog, they will find almost 
without exceptions that the ones who said, "Good work and a full school 
could be expected with Dr. Harrington," are assistants in departments 
where the heads of the same departments testified differently. I do not 
wish to charge that this signifies that they were candidates for places 
that might be vacated, but will leave it to the individual consideration 
of each reader. 

As to whether or not the students had the sympathy of a number 
of the Faculty and instructors, there has never been any question, and 
the same applies to any body of men acquainted with the situation (except 
the Board of Directors, but this was not the contention of the Harrington 
faction. They claimed that the trouble was secretly worked up, controlled 
and led by others than students, which contention was absolutely disproven. 

Judge Scott thought he had unearthed a big "Bugaboo" when Holloway 
testified that Puckett, a "student-instructor," appeared before one meeting 
of the Senior Class, but nothing was said about I. Dale, J. Wray or C. M. 
Evans who had similar relations with the College the past year and 
attended all meetings of the Senior Class. Yet this was all true and 
every one knew it. Mr. Evans even served on the students' investigation 
committee that supplied information to the Alumni. They did not con- 
sider that money paid them by the College for services rendered was in 
any way to be considered "hush money," as Mr. Scott thought. It is also 
true that Dr. Harrington removed Mr. Evans from his position as student- 
assistant after the February trial, but the student committee appealed to 
the Board and he was given his position back. 

It v/as also shown in the testimony that no one other than a student 
ever talked to the boys, but what they urged them to return to classes 
and submit to the constituted authorities, which should brand as inaccu- 
rate, certain statements made and scattered broadcast over the state last 
spring and this summer as well, by Dr. Harrington, Professor Fountain 
and others. 

It was proven conclusively that the so much talked of oaths that 
bound the students was no more than an intangible understandnig between 
the students to support each other and stand together. And that it was 
verbal in but one instance, and then only took the form of a vote of the 
Junior Class, which was in turn revoked a few days after the strike, by 
another vote. 

The feeling against Dr. Harrington was conclusively proven to ante- 
date Harrington's trouble with Kyle, Gilbert, Neff, Hutson and others 
by over a year, and that the premature closing of school and the severe 
sickness of Dr. Harrington prevented his removal being asked in June, 1907. 

One more point will be noticed before giving the argument of the 
attorneys and the verdict of the Board, that is the attitude of the 
Board and counsel for the defense in regard to "hearsay evidence." This 
was with few exceptions ruled out unitl the prosecution was nearly through. 
Then Judge Scott was quite willing and even anxious to hear anything; 
and the board established the precedent. "Why was this?" What would 
Dr. Harrington's evidence have amounted to had not Judge Scott been 



194 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

able to ask what his witness had heard some one say? It would have 
been absolutely nothing except personal opinions, conclusions and "stock 
dealing in futures." 

Some may question me here about witness being stopped on hearsay evi- 
dence, but I speak advisedly, for when I mentioned the first name as being 
my authority for a complaint I was going to make, I was immediately 
stopped by Judge Scott (or Rogan) and told to hold myself strictly to per- 
sonal matters. The same is true of many others. The record shows 
that Mr. Furneaux was asked to tell all he knew, but others — I find them 
not — until I come to Dr. Harrington's witnesses and here I find only 
hearsay testimony. For example: Mackey Larson (who had a grievance, 
and the Board knew it, yet he denied it to tell something he heard a 
student, who was his guest, say) Hamner, Cruse and the rest of the half 
dozen assistant chemists, Abercrombie, Lomax, "Carson Twins," Maloney, 
and in fact all of them, that was all they knew. 

Now for the arguments of the attorneys: 

The Board convened at 9 o'clock Modnay morning, June 22, in the dis- 
trict court room of Falls county at Marlin with all members present 
except Senator Sebastian, who has not attended the sessions of the inves- 
tigation. Judge Leggett of Abilene was in the chair. Judge Sam Scott 
of Waco was present, representing the defense and Judge Hatton Sum- 
ners of Dallas was on hand to represent the prosecution. 

Judge Scott announced that he had heard from Carlos Bee, who could 
not be present, but stated that Mr. Bee's argument would be mailed 
to be read during the afternoon session. 

Judge Sumners, with coat removed and suffering from severe indispo- 
sition, opened the argument, although he should have been under the care 
of a physician. His opening speech did not attempt to analyze the testi- 
mony, but dealt rather in generalities. It was an enviable effort. 

"We have gotten beyond the point," he said, "where it is necessary 
to search into the causes. The condition has become so acute and the 
danger to the institution has become so great that it is now necessary to 
to consider a condition and not a cause. No man can come before this 
body and suggest a course of procedure that will be absolutely without 
danger to the institution. I shall try to be absolutely frank with the 
Board. It is no time for the Board to wander into the realm of possibili- 
ties except in so far as it is necessary to determine what remedy should be 
applied. The one thing that now stands before you is that the man who 
occupies the head position at the school has lost his grip upon the sit- 
uation and the student body, and I defy any man to suggest a way within 
the range of human possibility whereby he can regain it. Whatever may 
be the cause, if he has lost his hold upon the students, as men charged 
with protecting the interests of that great institution, you have no right 
to hesitate. No man who has had anything to do with this institution has 
aught save regret that this condition has arisen. You men who have asso- 
ciated with Dr. Harrington, who have eaten his bread and salt there at 
the institution, will have to exert a supreme effort to break ties that bind 
you from your duty. But I take it that there is not a man on this Board 
that does not have the interests of the school at heart and enshrined deep 
within his consciousness, and such men are amenable to reason." 

The speaker referred to the school last session as having nearly six 
hundred boys, and said that it is a pity these boys can not go out into the 
world with the proper love for their alma mater instead of going out with 
a feeling of bitterness. 

"I am not asserting that President Harrington is not an able man, nor 
that he is not honest to the furthermost degree, but we are confronting 
a condition and not a theory. I want to be frank to you and say that I can 
not state to you a plan that is absolutely free from danger. You are con- 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 195 

fronted with a dilemma, but you must take hold of the horns of the dilemma 
and solve it. 

"I know, gentlemen, and you know, gentlemen, that there is a distrust 
and there must be something in the disposition of Dr. Harrington himself 
that it acountable for the feeling that has permeated the student body and 
members of the faculty. That record speaks for itself, and I shall not 
undertake to repeat it. This trouble has grown out of some defect on the 
part of President Harrington. It may be his temperament alone, but that 
alone unfits him for the position which he occupies. If it be a matter of 
temperament, then there is no way in the world by which he can hope 
to control the school." 

A young man by the name of Holloway clipped a complimentary article 
from one of the current magazines complimenting ex-President Houston 
of the Agricultural and Mechanical College. That article appeared in the 
Agricultural and Mechanical College paper. After that occurred President 
Harrington sent for that boy and told him in a gruff and angry tone that 
no man of ordinary intelligence would print an article like that. That fact 
spread among the students, and they concluded that the head of the in- 
stitution was of a small and jealous nature and couldn't stand to have an- 
other man praised. And as I know boy nature, it would take weeks and 
weeks to have counteracted a thing of that kind. 

"The record does not show a single time where President Harrington 
called those boys together and said: 'Boys, I am your President; I want 
to be a father to you; I want you to grow up to be good, honorable and 
useful citizens of Texas.' The record does not show once where the Presi- 
dent ever said that. Only one time of his own accord did he call that 
magnificent student body together to talk to them. 

"This burns to the very core of the institution. He called them together 
and told them they had been guilty of hazing. He 'didn't say, 'I am the 
President of the institution and you the student body; I know you love the 
College and know you love me. Here is a complaint coming from one of 
the parents, and I ask you, for the respect you entertain for the College 
and the love you bear me, to please stop it.' 

"I submit, gentlemen, that that would have ten thousand times the 
better effect. He called that band of boys together, boys whose fathers 
fought the liberty battles of Texas, boys who wouldn't stand an insult, 
and he called them 'cowards and sneaks.' 

"There has been a state of insurrection for several months. Where 
does the record show the first instance of breach of discipline? It is 
proven that two years ago the boys violated discipline and refused to go to 
chapel. The commandant of the institution took the boys and threw them 
into the guardhouse, as he ought to have done. The President of this 
great institution went to the boys and said, 'If you will be good, I will 
turn you out' They said, 'We will not be good,' and the President, in 
the face of the advice of the commandant, said, 'I will turn you. out anyway,' 
and he did. He right there sowed a whirlwind and reaped a tornado on 
February S." 

Judge Sumners closed his opening remarks at this point, and after 
a ten-minuto recess Judge Scott opened for the defense. 

Judge Scott's Defense. 

He referred to his statement at the close of the investigation last Sat- 
urday night that he did not care to argue the case, as there were five lawyers 
on the Board and two members with ability to review. He said that he did 
not feel he could throw any light on the case. He stated, also, that the board 
was thoroughly familiar with the conditions at the College. 

"Go into history," said Judge Scott, "and you will find that conditions of 
this kind have arisen having behind them a plot emanating from the minds 



196 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

of young men. I am ready to admit that the men of the Southland, be 
they old or young, are loyal to their states, loyal to their institutions and 
loyal to their country. However, I am pained to say that there frequently 
develops a tendency on the part of some men to handle the fair name of an- 
other man in a manner that, if carried out much longer, will have naught 
but evil effect. There is nothing more sacred to a man than his name, his 
reputation and his honor. No man should be allowed to go before a body of 
citizens gathered together and handle a man's name and reputation in a man- 
ner that reflects discredit upon him, unless he can bring forward the in- 
disputable proof of his accusations. I say there is not in this record a 
word or intimation that President Harrington is not a man of sterling hon- 
esty and ability, who has served his country, his state and this institution 
with a degree of loyalty and perfection that is unexcelled by no man and 
equaled by few. 

"This Board has heard the testimony heretofore. More witnesses have 
been examined this time and more time has been devoted to the trial, but 
so far as material issues are concerned, there is little that is new. 

"Who do we find, gentlemen, that are interesting themselves in this in- 
vestigation? I admit that the Alumni Association has a right to come to 
the relief of this institution when it is in trouble, but when they come 
they should come with a desire to present to the authorities the truth, the 
whole truth and nothing but the truth. They should place themselves in 
a position where they are willing to use all of their influence to back up 
constituted authority. Then I grant that the patrons of the school have 
a right — not only a right, but it is their duty — to come before this Board 
and follow every avenue that might lead to the information. I also grant 
you that the student body, either individually or collectively, has a right to 
present its grievances- to this Board. Say that they have no right and 
no authority to suppress the facts, they have no right to resort to the re- 
petition of rumors that are not authentic, or to rely upon facts that have 
no foundation whatever, this young man, the counsel for the prosecution, 
gives it as his opinion that there are not ten men who are loyal to the Presi- 
dent. I do not agree with that, but if it be true, then it was the duty of 
the students to come before this Board and tell the truth, what brought 
it on and what was the cause. If, as a matter of fact, the seed were sown 
by the President, then it would be your duty to remove him from the 
institution, but if they were sown by someone else in secret, under solemn 
obligation to enter into a conspiracy to dethrone the President, then, gen- 
tlemen, you should weed out the seed from which the conspiracy sprang 
and not hold the President responsible. It would be a crime to do that. 

"My young friend says President Harrington has lost control of the sit- 
uation. I do not question that for a time he did lose control, but it was 
because of the most diabolical conspiracy that was ever formed against the 
good name of an honest man. I am stating the cold truth. This con- 
spiracy was formed and the participants entered to a solemn obligation 
not to disclose information and to protect those behind their action. Give 
him loyal support, weed out the conspiracy, and you will have as fine an 
institution within five months as you ever had, and it will be running as 
smoothly as before. 

"I believe you will be willing to admit that if the Faculty, at the time 
that the trouble arose, had sent every one of those boys home and told them 
to stay there until they were willing to obey constituted authority, no trouble 
would now arise. I desire to read in this connection an extract from the first 
finding of the Board, as follows: '"In this controversy, as we view it, men 
have largely ceased to be an issue. The question involves a principle that 
reaches higher than a personage, a principle that lies at the base of all 
well-regulated government. To yield to the principle contended for by the 
Board, the supremacy of law and order, would be equivalent to an indorse- 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 197 

ment of a principle which destroys organized society and undermines gov- 
ernments.' 

"It was a conspiracy by the students and members of the Faculty to re- 
move the President and the member of the Faculty who was his most in- 
timate friend." 

Judge Sumners challenged this statement and Judge Scott referred to the 
testimony of Prof. Lomax to this effect. 

"Whenever you establish a precedent that will permit students to rise 
in their might and secure the discharge of the President or any members 
of the Faculty, your institution is ruined. If you pursue the course sug- 
gested by counsel for the prosecution, the destruction of this school will 
surely follow. Whenever you recognize that doctrine, you plant it in the 
bosom of every young man in this land who attends school to revolt against 
constituted authority. Without stopping to calculate the result in after 
years, they will attempt to take charge of their institution and run it to 
their own liking. I believe that in every school of this kind the boys un- 
dertake to run the institution if they can. There must be authority lodged 
somewhere in one man, from whose decisions there can be no appeal, and 
then he is responsible for the enforcement of discipline. I don't apply thai 
to all governments, but I think there is a marked difference between the 
government of a nation and the government of a College." 

Judge Scott here read again from the first report of the investigation 
board as follows: 

"When the Board arrived, the organization had been so perfected and so 
adroitly managed that the Faculty was powerless, members of the Board in 
their individual capacity were unable to break the permanent stand of the 
students in their conspiracy against discipline and College duties." 

"I believe that that report was right. We have never yet gotten all of 
the facts in this matter. We have only scraped the surface so far and ex- 
posed it here and there. 

"It is immaterial now whether any member of the Faculty was lending 
aid to the students or whether they were lending encouragement in the con- 
spiracy, but I take the position that the evidence was undisputed and un- 
controverted by a single witness that the student body believed that the 
Faculty was aiding them, and that was the cause that moved them to take 
the course they did. 

Judge Scott referred to the time when Dr. Harrington called the stu- 
dents sneaks and cowards, saying a helpless student was studying his les- 
sons when a party of students fell upon him, forced him to recline upon a 
table, and applied a heavy strap; that the parents of the hazed boy demanded 
redress, and Dr. Harrington called them together and used the words re- 
ferred to. 

"And they haven't had much hazing since that time," said the speaker. 
Judge Scott read a letter he had received from a patron of the school, saying 
it expressed his sentiments exactly. The letter expressed the opinion that 
Dr. Harrington, with a loyal Faculty, could command the situation perfect- 
ly. Judge Scott expressed the opinion that the place of every student who 
will not abide by constituted authorities and obey the rules will be filled by 
a young Texan who will abide by the rules laid down by constituted authority 
and will make a good citizen that Texas will be proud of. "Already students 
are sleeping in tents, sheltering them from the summer's heat and the win- 
ter's cold, and inquiries for information concerning the school curriculum, 
accommodations and expense are larger this spring than ever before known." 

Judge Scott said not a single witness on the stand mentioned an indi- 
vidual grievance as a reason why Dr. Harrington should be removed. He 
charged that it was the duty of the patrons and the Alumni to discuss condi- 
tions with the Board and the Faculty and not alone with the students who 
might be naturally supposed to give a prejudiced account. Judge Scott 
referred to the statement of a member of the Alumni in the presence of 



198 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

about seventy-five Juniors and seniors, "Damn the Board, damn the Faculty, 
I am for the A. and M.," and asked what probable effect such a statement 
would have on the student leaders thus gathered together, these leaders 
practically controlling the under-student body. 

"What do you think of an organization," said Judge Scott, "that will pre- 
fer charges against a man's fair name, and then refuse to stand behind them 
when called upon to do so. The members of the Alumni Association and the 
committee refused to stand behind them because they knew they would be 
amenable in damages if the charges were untrue and they felt that they were 
untrue." 

Judge Scott's argument consumed about four hours and went exhaustively 
into the evidence and the charges. Judge Sumners closed for the prosecu- 
tion in a speech lasting about two hours. In all, Judge Scott spoke about 
four hours and Judge Sumners spoke about three and one-half hours. 

Sumners Closes. 

Judge Sumners in his closing remarks dealt with the evidence at 
length. He compared the students to an army and Dr. Harrington to the 
general. He compared the president to the captain of a ship and the stu- 
dents to the passengers. 

"Three years ago," ' said the speaker, "this man was placed in charge 
of an institution that was the pride of this state, nurtured by the legislature, 
fortified by the farmers' congress, and admired by a great citizenship. 
Today he brings it back to you a pitiable wreck. Any man can sail a ship 
in fair weather, but when a state entrusts six hundred precious lives to a 
mariner he must be a man who can bring the ship safely to shore in the 
teeth of a gale. He must be a man who, when he calls, 'Boys, to the helm,' 
they will spring to their post, and every man will do a man's part. Three 
years ago Dr. Harrington was put in charge and set sail on a calm sea, 
but the storm came, the tornado lashed the sea to a fury, and he brings 
back the broken, battered hulk for you to review. Are you going to say, 
Take it and go forth again and see what you can do?' " 

Judge Sumners closed his remarks at 6:30 p. m. and the Board ad- 
journed to meet after supper to consider the verdict. 

Carlos Bee's Argument. 

Before the verdict was rendered the argument of Carlos Bee, counsel for 
Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Kyle, was read before the Board. This document ar- 
rived early on Tuesday morning. It urged that the board should not make 
an adverse finding in regard to these two members of the Faculty. The 
argument recited that these two members of the Faculty had nothing to do 
with the charges and the investigation, except that in their loyalty to the in- 
stitution they urged the student body to return to the school and continue 
work. The document recited that Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Kyle had the inalien- 
able right to be displeased with President Harrington and that Dr. Harring- 
ton had the same right to be displeased with them. Mr. Bee frankly stated 
that they had no right to permit their displeasure to lead them into an effort 
to have Dr. Harrington removed and to incite the student body to insur- 
rection. "If they did this," says the document, "they ought not to be re- 
tained." However, Mr. Bee expresses the opinion that there is nothing to 
prove that they did do this except vague and uncertain rumors, and he urges 
that they should not be removed on this kind of evidence. The document 
said that not a single student was found who had ever heard Dr. Gilbert or 
Prof. Kyle utter a single word of encouragement to the strikers. The board 
considere-d this argument before it returned a verdict, giving to it the same 
consideration that was given to the oral argument of other counsel. 

The Board deliberated all day Tuesday and until 10 p. m. that night 
before a verdict was reached. Although the report was signed by all the 
Directors present, I am reliably informed that for a long time the Board 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 199 

seemed hopelessly divided. But this is immaterial. About 10 p. m., Dr. 
Harrington was invited to come before the Board in the parlor of the Ar- 
lington hotel and was given a copy of the findings to read. When he had 
finished he made a brief statement. His voice was husky with emotion as 
he spoke. "I wish to thank the Board, individually and collectively, for 
their verdict and to congratulate them upon having been offered the great- 
est opportunity that has ever been offered to this or any other Board to be 
of lasting service to the institution which you represent. I am profoundly 
grateful to you for a full recognition of the situation and for the patience 
with which you have borne the ordeal of a taxing trial. It shall be my 
effort to bring the institution to a greater degree of usefulness to the youth 
of the state and the people of the state than it has ever been before." 

Dr. Harrington shook hands warmly with those present in the room. In 
a later statement to the News correspondent Dr. Harrington said: "I feel 
deeply grateful to the Board for their high sense of justice and for the firm 
stand that they have taken not only in the interests of this institution, but 
of every educational institution of Texas. To my mind, the principle in- 
volved has been one that could admit of no compromise and that underlies 
the fundamental principles of the American educational system. I have 
not the least feeling of resentment against the students. I feel that they 
were first misinformed and then misled. I beg the hearty co-operation of 
the people of the state in bringing the College to a higher state of usefulness 
and of lasting service. I bespeak the full co-operation of the Alumni Asso- 
ciation. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the the press of the state 
for their suspension of opinion until the evidence was adduced and the 
verdict of the Board was recorded. 

The exoneration reads: 

The Findings of the Board. 

"On the 8th day of June, 1908, James Cravens and others presented to 
this board in writing certain charges against the President of this College, 
and in the same instrument suggested other charges that merited the con- 
sideration of the Board. The suggested charges are twelve in number. 

"When this trouble first arose this Board investigated practically all of 
these matters and then reached the conclusion that this was not just cause 
for complaint against the President. Such is its conclusion now. This in- 
vestigation has revealed no condition with which the Board was not per- 
fectly familiar. 

"It is suggested that gross irregularities are to be found in the expendi- 
ture of public funds. The College accounts are audited by an- expert ac- 
countant at the close of each fiscal year, and this will be done at the close 
of the fiscal year. Since the suggestion of irregularities has been made we 
have directed the finance committee to take up this matter at once and if 
anything of the kind is found the Board will take proper steps to correct 
the evil without delay. It is expected that the finance committee will be 
able to reach the matter in a short time. 

"As to the other charges suggested we find that they have not only 
not been proven, but they have been in the main affirmatively disproven. 
When we had the first investigation in February last we learned that the 
President and the corps were not in harmony, and that differences existed 
between him and certain members of the Faculty. The corps believed that 
either some of the members of the Faculty would be retired or the President 
would be retired and they took sides with the disaffected members of the 
Faculty and undertook, by peremptory demands, to force the retirement 
of the President, and when their demands were not acceded to they went 
on a strike. 

"The Board did not then believe, and it does not now believe, that the 
disturbing elements could have been removed at that time without disor- 



200 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

ganizing the school. The correctness of any action the Board could take was 
not free from doubt. But our desire to keep the young men in school and 
preserve the College organization finally led us to take the chance and make 
the effort to keep the school open until the commencement, fully realizing 
the danger with which such an effort was attended. With the aid of the 
press, the parents and the Alumni Association, we succeeded, and forty- 
eight young men of the state have gone out this June with their diplomas. 

"The breach between the President and the corps has undoubtedly 
widened since February 6, a result for which the Board assumes its full share 
of responsibility for not then and there applying a more drastic remedy. 

"As to charge No. 13, we find that President Harrington does not possess 
the confidence and esteem of the vast majority of this body of students, 
but we do find that he has not demeaned himself so as to forfeit the con- 
fidence and respect of the student body or the Faculty, nor have his actions 
or conduct impaired the growth of the College. On the contrary, the Col- 
lege has grown under his management with much rapidity. 

"Even this wear, with the disturbed condition of affairs, the students 
have done good work and stubstantial progress has been made. It may be 
doubted if there is another College of the same magnitude in the world 
where less real grievances are to be found among the students. In our 
opinion, one of the principal grievances which the student body has against 
the President is based upon a dignified reserve in his manner, which is fre- 
quently misunderstood, and yet we fail to see in this anything that would 
at all justify the estrangement that has occurred and the attacks that 
have been made upon him. But if the fact be conceded that personal un- 
popularity with the student body is sufficient within and of itself to justify 
the removal of a College President, then we could not for a moment ac- 
cede to it under any circumstances surrounding the conditions with which 
we are confronted. If we thought the proposition sound we would not re- 
move President Harrington until at least two results had been accom- 
plished, to-wit: First, until law and order had been obtained at the College; 
second, until the student body had been taught the lesson that they 
could not make and unmake College Presidents at will. 

"Some two hundred of the six hundred parents speaking with approxi- 
mate accuracy, appeared in person and by letter before us, requesting the 
removal of President Harrington because of the existence of certain con- 
ditions, waiving the matter of the investigation of any charges. Certainly 
they do not wish to commit themselves to the proposition that we should 
remove the President because of a condition if he were not responsible for 
that condition, and that we should take such action without regard to the 
effect it would have upon the young men who have endeavored to force this 
result. We cannot subscribe to such a doctrine. Such action on our part 
would do an injustice to the President and its tendency would be to excite 
feelings of disrespect for law and order in all schools of the country. Not 
a parent insofar as we have been advised, justified the action taken by the 
student body, and yet these parents ask us to reward such action by ex- 
pressly yielding to an unjust and peremptory demand made by their sons. 
We cannot offer such a premium for acts of disloyalty and insubordination. 
If we are challenged to express an opinion as to whether this school can 
be successfully conducted the incoming year with President Harrington 
at its head, we meet the issue squarely by replying: 'We think it can.' 

Would Close the School. 

"But if it can not, we would close the school before we would set the 
precedent of permitting a student body to rise in open rebellion and in 
open and bold defiance of constituted authority and for unjust cause force 
the governing body to yield to a peremptory demand. This board will never 
establish such a precedent. In closing this unfortunate affair, at least so far 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 201 

as this Board is concerned, we make the final appeal to the press and the 
public, to stand by the College, hold up our hands as its Directors to the 
end that when the doors of the A. and M. College are thrown open in the fall 
to receive the Texas young men, this grand and magnificent institution may 
be fully rehabilitated in all of its departments. We have done our duty 
and invite a like service at voui hands. Respectfully submitted, 

"K. K. LEGETT, 
"T. D. ROWELL, 
"WALTON PETEET , 
"JNO. M. GREEN, 
"L. L. McINNIS, 
"R. T. MILNER, 
"A. HAIDUSEK." 

The deed was done, who shall suffer the consequences? 

Let me ask the reader why does the Board hold up their hands and make 
a final appeal to the press and the public? It is simply because it did 
not expect the people to accept their verdict, their prejudiced verdict. Why 
do I say prejudiced? Not simply because I know it to be prejudiced for 
that is only what would be called a prejudiced prejudice, but because the 
Board admits that it is prejudiced — "We would close the school before we 
would set the precedent of permitting a student body to rise in open re- 
bellion and bold defiance of constituted authority and for unjust cause force* 
the governing body to yield to a peremptory demand." If this is not a plain 
acknowledgement of the fact that their findings were influenced by the 
fact that way back last February the students petitioned the President's 
removal, and when no hearing was granted the petition turned into a de- 
mand, — I would like to know what it is? This is not what the Board in- 
tended it for though. It was meant for an appeal to the only sympathy and 
support that they received in February. They could not give their findings 
to the state and expect them to be accepted as being arrived at simply 
from the bona fide evidence in the investigation. They must ask something 
of the people of Texas contrary to the constitution of the United States. 
That is the second condemnation for one and the same offense. That of the 
strike in February. 

To me the hearing as "full, fair and open" as it was has been taken ad- 
vantage of bj^ the Board, whom the people expected to render a verdict ac- 
cording to the evidence submitted, to again say "We cannot offer such a pre- 
mium for disloyalty and insubordination." 

It seems to me that the Board in their last exoneration have again voiced 
their former statement, made in February, that a "clear cut issue was drawn 
as to whether we, as the highest governing body of the institution should 
control it. or the students," and that their answer was the same as previously 
given, "there ought to be and could be but one answer to this question." 

In the late statement from the Board, after admitting the truth of the 
so-called thirteenth charge, to the effect that the President did not possess 
the confidence and esteem of the student body, which the Alumni (and 
every unbiased person) claimed wholly unfitted him for the Presidency of 
the College. The Board say, "But if the fact be conceded that the personal 
unpopularity with the student body is sufficient within, and of itself to 
justify the removal of the President, then we could not for a moment ac- 
cede to it under the circumstances surrounding the conditions with which we 
are confronted. If we thought the proposition sound we could not remove 
President Harrington until at least two results had been accomplished, to- 
wit: first, until law and order had been obtained at the College; second, un- 
til the student body had been taught the lesson that they could not make 
and unmake College Presidents at will." 

I presume the mention of the first result desired is meant to insinuate 



202 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

to the people of Texas that law and order has notexistesd at the College 
before and since the trouble in February. This is the first time any one 
has even hinted at such a charge against the students. And it is considered 
by the students as an unjustified assertion on the part of the Board made 
with the single intention of holding the students up before the people of 
Texas as a lawless body, whose claims should not be considered on their 
merits, but that they are offenders who should be quelled into absolute 
silence. Such an assertion is even less justified and more deeply resented by 
the ones who really know the student body, than their February charge 
of some mysterious "controlling influence," and "conspiracy against dis- 
cipline and continuance of College duties." 

In naming the second result that they desire before removing President 
Harrington, "until the student body has been taught the lesson that they 
could not make and unmake College Presidents at will," the Board declines 
to take notice of the fact that the students have made but one attempt 
to have the President removed, that in February, which resulted in failure, 
and that the late attempt was not one by students wishing to make and re- 
make Presidents at will, but an effort on the part of the patrons and Alumni 
of the College to have removed an inefficient President at a time when for 
him to longer remain in charge of the College promised irreparable damage 
to the school. 

In answer to the statement by the Board "as to the other charges 
suggested we find that they have not only not been proven, but they have 
been in the main affirmatively disproven," I must say that I fail to agree 
but will not here go into reasons for such disagreement, but refer the reader 
to the report of Judge Hatton W. Sumners to Chairman Cravens, which fol- 
lows: 

The report says "This investigation has revealed no condition with which 
the Board was not perfectly familiar." This assertion really reflects on the 
Board I think when one considers the former endorsements of Dr. Har- 
rington, for I fail to see the motive of the Board in endorsing the President 
so strongly in February and promising him their unanimous support, if 
they were really so well acquainted with the conditions. 

It is amusing to notice how the Board assumes the responsibility for not 
settling the matter in a drastic manner last February, and that they say 
it would have disorganized the college to have removed the "disturbing ele- 
ments." But who do they refer to by "disturbing elements?" They refer to the 
"anti-Harrington" faction certainly by the way they refer to the fact 
that by allowing the "disturbing elements" to remain that they enabled 
forty-eight young men to receive diplomas. Or is it possible that they refer 
alone to the Senior Class. I claim that a disturbing element is one that 
causes trouble and therfore it naturally follows that since Dr. Harrington 
has caused the trouble he is the "disturbing element," but bis removal 
would not have disorganized the school or prevented the Seniors from 
graduating. This paragraph of the third exoneration plainly shows that the 
Board has never for one instant considered that Dr. Harrington and his 
actions are the sole causes of the trouble, and until this view is at least 
considered by the governing body the matter will never be settled. 

Again we must hear from the business men of Bryan, who place $ $'s 
above principles and personal convictions. Read the following call for a 
jnass meeting to accept the verdict of the Board that there might be 
more shekels in their pockets: 

"The investigation of the A. and M. College by the Board of Directors 
has concluded and their decision has been rendered. The value to Bryan 
of a full attendance at College is too well understood by our business 
men to admit of any discussion and it behooves us all to accept the verdict 
of the hearing, to cease the agitation and to bend our efforts to the coming 
session. We should have one thousand boys at A. and M. in September. 
To the end that we may help toward the above result, a mass meeting of 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 203 

the Citizens of Bryan is called to meet at the opera house this morning at 
9 o'clock. R. M. Gordon, G. S. Parker, J. E. Butler, E. J. Fountain, Sam 
Levy, Ed Hall, O. E. Saunders, George W. Smith, A. W. Wilkinson, J. T. 
Maloney, Ed S. Derden, W. O. Sanders, Dr. A. L. Mondrick, T. K. Law- 
rence, M. H. James, J. E. Covey, W. H. Cole." 

EDITORIAL EXPRESSIONS FROM THE PRESS SUMMARIZED. 

"Individuals or a College?" 

"When the meeting of students occurred it failed to go to the bottom of 
the trouble, but slurred over, the matter in such a way as to bring complete 
satisfaction to nobody. In the end it has been compelled to take action 
which it at first refused to take; it has had to back paddle, so to speak. 

"In view of the testimony so far given. Farm and Ranch is more thor- 
oughly convinced of the correctness of its opinion, previously expressed, that 
the only remedy lies in a complete change in the government of the in- 
stitution. The resignations of the President and members of the Board 
offer the simplest solution of the matter; but if they refuse to resign, then 
removal, as a last resort is the only practical course left. 

"Obviously, in the opinion of Farm and Ranch, a new deal altogether is 
necessary. 

"Unless radical change is made, and made at once, the state may as well 
close the institution and write the word FAILURE on its doors." — Farm 
and Ranch. 

The News Submits: 

"An investigation has been held and a decision has been reached, and, 
whether that decision is entirely satisfactory or not. The News submits, con- 
sidering the evidence that has been produced, and the conditions as they 
are now presented, that it is the duty of all friends of the College to accept 
the judgment and save this excellent institvition from the dissension by 
which its life is threatened. As far as The News is concerned it will not 
fail to do what it can to this end, and such service will be rendered without 
prejudice against or preference for any person or persons whomsoever. As 
the Board of Directors are themselves responsible for any mistakes that have 
been made, it must be obvious that the only alternative for the decision they 
have rendered would have been for them to hand in their resignations." 

The Chronicle Says: 

THE HARRINGTON VERDICT A COMPROMISE. 

"The Chronicle is of the opinion that the welfare of the College calls for 
a new deal all around. 

"Summed up, the Board's report serves notice on the 'vast majority of 
this student body' that if ^:hey can't endure President Harrington they 
can quit the College." 

The Express notices that the Board does not lay trouble on Faculty 
members, and that the Board still considered the students in open rebellion. 

"The Board of Directors rather intimates than declares an unseemly 
friction in the Faculty, or rather, between the President and members of 
the Faculty, but there is no suggestion that the effort to depose the 
President was aided or abetted in any manner by the disaffected members of 
the Faculty. The Board assumes some share of responsibility for the con- 
tinued disruption in the school because of its failure to adopt more drastic 
action for discipline of the student body when insubordination first became 
rampant, but indicates a purpose to be more firm and exacting in future. 
The report says the Board could not consider the proposal to remove the 
President because of unsatisfactory conditions, if he were not responsible 
for those conditions, especially while the student body is in open rebellion." 



204 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

The Houston Post. 

acquiesces in the verdict of the Board to the point where they declare 
the school will be closed if it cannot be satisfactorily run by Dr. Harrington. 
The Tribune and a number of other papers suggested it was time for 
Dr. Harrington to resign. While others suggested that the Board needed 
investigation. 

WITH THE ALUMNI AND PATRONS. 

The committee of the Alumni Association who were given full authority 
to act in the name of the whole organization met in Galveston June 29, to 
consider their future policy. Although it is known that they are not sat- 
isfied with the findings, they desire that their future plans be kept secret. 
However the following communications are made public: 
The following is the report of Hatton W. Sumners to the committee rep- 
resenting the Alumni Association: 

"Mr James Cravens, Chairman, Houston, Texas: 

"Dear Sir: As you have observed, the investigation has closed, and 
the Board of Directors of the A. and M. College has made its findings, com- 
pletely exonerating Professor Harrington, and affirmatively holding that none 
of the suggested charges had been proven, but that, on the contrary, many 
of them had been affirmatively disproven. In this matter, as your attor- 
ney, I endeavored to establish the charge made upon your responsibility, and 
the same was established beyond any sort of doubt; in fact, the proof was 
so conlcusive that counsel for the defense did not question its establishment. 
His whole effort was to avoid its consequences and to shift the responsibility. 
As I understand the statement of the Board of Directors, it is equivalent 
to an admission that this charge was proven. 

"It is not my purpose to indulge in criticism of the finding of the Board 
of Directors with reference to the twelve suggested charges, though I find 
myself unable to agree to the correctness of their finding. It is true there 
was no special effort made to establish them, you merely having suggested 
them as matters which should be inquired into by the Board of Directors 
and tendered your services. As your representative I did render the Board 
such service as I could without the consumption of too much time and in- 
curring too much expense This was in line with your instructions to me, 
with the wisdom of which I heartily agreed, since it was evident to us 
that if the Board of Directors would not remove Dr. Harrington on the estab- 
lishment of charge No. 13, it would not do so with the other charges es- 
tablished. However, in developing evidence bearing upon the charge pre- 
ferred by your committee, much evidence was adduced in support of the 
twelve suggested charges. The record is so voluminous, covering nearly 
eight hundred and fifty typewritten pages, that it will be impossible for 
me to do more than call your attention to a part of this evidence which arose 
incidentally in this investigation, and which bears upon these suggested 
charges. In making this report, I shall mean no reflection upon the Board of 
Directors or any members thereof. I am only making a report to my client, 
and I want this to be understood in that light. 

"With reference to charge No. 1, which suggested an investigation of 
College books, etc., this in view of a report of irregularities in the financial 
affairs o^ the college, the Board stated it could not at that time, go into 
such an investigation, but would do so at a later date. It was shown by 
witness, E. J. Smith, that the statement referred to in this charge had 
been published and circulated in Texas. This charge was proven, there- 
fore, but the truth of the statements contained in the circulated report 
was neither proven nor disproven, since the Board did not see fit to go 
into the matter at that time. In justice to the Board, I want to say that 
I agreed that it was best to defer this matter until some later date. 

"There was much evidence offered in support of charge No. 1, with ref- 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 205 

erence to the domineering disposition and unreasonableness of President 
Harrington in his demands and requirements. Prof. Hutson's testimony, 
whicli begins on page 608 of the record, was in substance as follows: 
On last Christmas Professor Hutson, an ex-Confederate soldier, for forty 
years a teacher in the South, and for many years a professor in A. and M. 
College, was visited by his son, who was at that time living in New York. 
He had been absent for four years, and upon this occasion brought his wife 
and their first child, an infant, to spend the Christmas holidays with his 
father. On the journey the child developed whooping cough. The grand- 
mother, Mrs. Hutson, telephoned Dr. Gilbert, the campus physician, Presi- 
dent Harrington, and all mothers of small children on the campus, advising 
them of the fact. Dr. Gilbert was prepared to establish usual quanantine, 
in such cases, but President Harrington ordered a smallpox quarantine to be 
established, confining the whole family, including Prof. Hutson, to the house. 
About the same time he forced Prof. Hutson's cook to leave the campus. 
He endeavored to have the child removed from the College campus, which 
was in effect an effort to drive young Hutson's family from the home of 
his father. 

"Prof. Mitchell, secretary of the Alumni Association, testified that, prior to 
the last commencement, he had arranged with the College steward for the 
banquet of the Alumni Association, and had arranged with the contractor 
erecting one of the new buildings on the campus, for permission for members 
of the Alumni to sleep in the bulding, and had arranged for cots on which 
they might sleep; that this had been done in line with the custom heretofore 
pursued, and that the arrangements made entailed no expense or loss to the 
College; that after this had been done, President Harrington sent for him 
and in an angry and offensive manner told him that he should have made 
these arrangements with him (Harrington), which was neither necessary 
nor usual. 

"Witness Holloway testified to President Harrington's severe criticism 
of him, mei'ely because he had reproduced in the College paper an article 
from one of the current magazines, which was complimentary of President 
Houston of the State University, and in nowise refiected upon President 
Harrington or gave him just grounds for complaint. In addition, there 
was much other evidence supporting the sub-charge of unreasonable and 
domineering disposition. 

"Under sub-charge No. 2, the evidence tendered in support therof was with 
reference to fist fights while President Harrington was a member of the 
Faculty. The evidence was excluded by the Board, because the alleged fist 
fight occurred prior to Dr. Harrington's appointment as president, and was 
remote. There was no allegation that it happened when he was president, 
and since this evidence was excluded, we could not, of course, prove the 
charge, but we did tender the evidence, and there was certainly no evidence 
offered to disprove it. 

"Charge No. 3 was with reference to a murderous assault with a shot- 
gun, and the use by Dr. Harrington at that time of profane and abusive 
language. Bert Hull, who was then a student, would have testified that this 
assault was made upon him by Prof. Harrington while a member of the 
Faculty, and that language was used as charged in the complaint. The 
Board would not admit this evidence, because this assault was made prior 
to Dr. Harrington's election to the Presidency and was remote. The idea 
of the suggestor of this charge was. no doubt, that if established it would 
throw some light upon the permanent character and disposition of the Presi- 
dent, and at least, incidentally bear upon his fitness for the Presidency. 
Since this evidence was excluded we could not, of coui'se, prove the charge, 
but we stood ready to offer the evidence. There was certainly no evidence 
offered to disprove it. 

"Charge No. 4. That he is not in touch with and has not the respect 
and confidence of this or any other student body since he has been President. 



206 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

There was no dispute that he has not the respect and confidence of the pres- 
ent student body. The record is full of evidence of a most pitiable condition 
in this regard. The evidence was overwhelmning that he did not have 
the respect and confidence of the student body during 190G and 1907. All the 
Seniors offered as witnesses testified in substance to this. The witness A. P. 
Rollins, whose testimony begins on page 88 of the record, testified to this 
fact. The witness, Holloway, who was highly commended by counsel for the 
defense, testified, as appears on page 200 of the record, that President Har- 
rington did not have the confidence of the students of 1906-1907. This leaves 
only the first year of his Presidency, during which time there was pronounced 
feeling of disrespect and lack of confidence. This charge, therefore, in so far 
as it affects present conditions or the course necessary to correct them, 
was proven. 

"Charge No. 5. 'That he is not in touch with a number of the Faculty, 
and is without their esteem, confidence and respect.' The rest of the charge 
is argumentative and conclusive. This very matter was admittedly proven 
and was one of the matters complained of by the attorney for the defense, 
and assigned by him as the chief excuse for present conditions at the Col- 
lege. 

"Charge No. G. 'That his method of conducting the College was more 
that of a politician than that of the head of an institution.' No special effort 
was made to establish this charge. As an illustration, I will call your at- 
tention to the testimony of Witness D. E. Mackey, whose testimony begins 
on page 700 of the record. He was placed upon the stand by President 
Harrington, and swore quite strongly for him. It was disclosed, however, 
by Mr. Mackey, on cross-examination, that for some time prior to date of 
testimony he had been operating a boarding house on the college campus 
without paying any rent whatever to the state for the use of the house or 
property used by him in that business. 

In three rooms of this house Professor Lear resided. He could get only 
these three rooms, yet he had been connected with the College for a longer 
period of time than Mackey had; he was qualified to teach theory in his de- 
partment; Mackey was not; but there was this fact: Lear was not a par- 
tisan of the President. There was no evidence whatever to reflect upon 
the character, integrity or general standing of Lear. With regard to Mackey, 
he admitted that he had told a lie in order to get his position at the College, 
having represented himself as a single man, when in truth and in'* fact 
he was a married man; that during the strike he had made the state- 
ment that he gloried in the spunk of the boys in striking; that he had talks 
with Lear, with whom he lived under the same roof, with regard to Pres- 
ident Harrington and matters connected with the strike, and had never 
indicated to Lear that he was in sympathy with the President; that such 
inforn ation as he gathered from his talks with Lear he betrayed to Presi- 
dent Harrington. The only distinctive service shown by the record to 
ih?ve been performed by him was that of playing the role of spy to 
the President. It is not a far-fetched conclusion, in the light of the rec- 
ord, that this service was considered sufl^cient to procure for him forgive- 
ness for his false representations made when he got his position, and to 
entitle him to the additional compensation of being allowed the free use 
of the State's property in which to nm a boarding house. The one who 
suggested this charge no doubt thought that such transactions as this smack- 
ed somewhat of politics. As to whether or not it does depends, of course, 
upon individual view. 

"Charge No. 7. Mr. Carson, the treasurer, testified that the President 
has nothing to do with matters referred to in said charge in connection 
with the maintenance fund, but I required him to bring before the Board 
vouchers covering all money which nad been refunded out of the fund for 
a period of several months prior to the strike. Every voucher brought 
bore the approval of President Harrington and appeared to have been paid 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 207 

upon his approval, which shows, in my judgment that the President does 
have something to wo with the matter. 

"Charge No. 8. This charge is practically the same as charge No. 7. 
The witness E. J. Smith testified to the retention of the trust fund deposited 
by his son when there was no charge for damages done by his son, and in his 
testimony offered to corroborate his testimony by that of any of the other 
patrons whom the Board would desire to hear. The President being the 
executive head of the institution, it was Mr. Smith's view that he was re- 
sponsible in a general way, at least, for the management of College affairs. 

"Charge No. 9. With reference to the President's salary. The evidence 
shows that he received $3,500 as President of the College and $500 as 
superintendent of experiment station. His total salary was not increased 
when he was made superintendent of the experiment station. 

"Charge No. 10. This is a charge with regard to intoxicating liquors. 
I am convinced that the Board of Directors are fully advised with reference 
to the facts supporting this charge. The proof was not offered during the 
Investigation, not because the proof was not at hand, but for reasons with 
which you are familiar. There was certainly no evidence offered to disprove 
this charge. 

"Charge No. 11. There was no conflict in the evidence with regard to the 
strike having taken place, or that Prof. Harrington was hung in effigy on the 
College grounds, or that the perpetrators went unpunished and without 
any attempt to punish them being made, and no dispute as to the open dis- 
respect shown him by the student body. The Board seems not to have con- 
sidered these things sufficient to establish his lack of ability or power to 
control of the student body. If he had the ability and power to control, the 
record fails to disclose any successful exercise of that ability. The Board 
must have reached the conclusion suggested in order to have arrived at its 
findings with regard to this charge. 

"Charge No. 12. With reference to charge No. 12, I cannot conceive of 
what part of said charge was not proven to the satisfaction of the Board. 
It may be that the Board confused the correctness of the conclusion drawn 
in the charge with the correctness of the charge itself. The records show 
conclusively that the suspension of the seven Juniors grew out of an article 
published in the College paper, the editorial staff of which they consti- 
tuted; that said article would not have been published had not an untrue 
statement as to College conditions appeared in an interview which pur- 
ported to have been made by the President, and which there is no evidence 
in the record that he is denied responsibility for. Had this untrue state- 
ment not been published ,the article in the College paper would not have 
been published and the seven Juniors would not have been suspended. For 
these reasons I must respectfully disagree with the Board in its findings that 
'as to the other charges "suggested," we find that they have not only not 
been proven, but they have been in the main affirmatively disproven.' I re- 
peat that I do this in no spirit of disrespect to the Board. The members 
of the Board were very kind and considerate and patient during the entire 
investigation, and showed to me personally many kindnesses during the pro- 
ceedings. 

"As to Charge No. 13, which was made upon the responsibility of your 
committee, it is charged 'that President Harrington is the executive head of 
the College, and as such his duties are to command the respect and con- 
fidence of the student body, to the end that he may preserve order, maintain 
discipline and inspire the students to the proper intellectual achievement and 
moral development; to demean himself toward the professors and instruc- 
tors under him so they will feel kindly toward him, and will be encour- 
aged to put forth their best efforts in their respective departments, and 
generally to so direct College affairs as to promote harmony and peace, and 
create such an atmosphere that uninterrupted and undisturbed work may 
be done by all connected with the institution.' The ex-students of .s.. and 



208 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

M. College understood these to be his chief duties. He teaches nothing what- 
ever, and if these are not his chief duties the record does not disclose what 
they are. The rules of the College make him responsible for the discipline 
of the College: 'The president of the College shall be held immediately re- 
sponsible for the discipline of the college, and in its enforcement he may at 
any time require the assistance of any or all of the members of the Faculty.' 

"Following this statement of the duties of the President is the charge: 
'That in all these things he has failed utterly, and that A. and M. College, 
while under him, was brought to the verge of destruction.' The evidence of 
this failure was so complete and patent, and the fact of the failure was so 
well known to the whole state, that testimony with regard to it seemed 
to me wholly unnecessary, but it was placed before the Board; witness after 
witness, students and professors, came before the Board and testified to 
a pitiable failure and disgraceful consequences which are, perhaps, with- 
out a parallel in the history of educational institutions in this country. 
The President hung in effigy on the College campus in broad daylight, gen- 
eral and open disrespect shown him for months, his authority openly de- 
fied, nelpless and impudent. The records of the Faculty of which he is the 
head, and the whole record of this investigation, is as silent as the grave 
as to any move or suggestion made by the president looking to the establish- 
ment of proper conditions in A. and M .College. The whole situation adrift 
without a leader equal to the emergency, without a hand to guide through 
the dangers. As I understand the statement of the Board, it is equivalent to 
and admission that Charge No. 13 was proven, but that, even though proven, 
its establishment is not sufficient to require the removal of President Har- 
rington. 

"I shall not, at this time, make any comment upon the finding of the 
Board of Directors. At some later date I may do so. 

Respectfully 

(Signed) HATTON W. SUMNERS. 

In regard to charge to the effect that whisky and cigars were pur- 
chased out of College funds, etc., I must say Judge Sumners handled the 
Board too lightly, when he said they were fully advised of the facts support- 
ing the charge. 

The Board does know about the matter, and in such a vivid manner that 
they were wholly unjustified in saying it was affirmatively disproven. 
When the prosecution were about to present a witness by whom they ex- 
pected to prove that during that very week and previously also, that whiskey 
was being shipped to the A. and M. College, billed "oil," the Board asked that 
the evidence not be presented as it would "hurt the school." 

Another case that we were prepared to prove happened last February, 
and which was investigated then by Milton Everett of Dallas. In the May 
Hittite, he writes of it as follows: 

"WHISKEY AND CIGARS BOUGHT BY COMMISSARY.' 

"That whiskey and cigars are bought and charged to the commissary 
of A. and M., there appears to be no doubt. On Sunday, February 8th, the 
steward of the College telephoned the Smith Drug Co., in Bryan, to send 
out two boxes of cigars and a gollon of whiskey, making the statement 
that the whiskey was for 'sick students.' Owing to the fact that it was 
a violation of the law to sell whiskey on Sunday, Mr. McQueen, the manager 
of the drug store, secured a physician's prescription and ordered the 
whiskey from E. Rhode, a saloon man. and sent it with the cigars by Ed 
Tally, a hackman, to the College. The whiskey was charged to the A. 
and M. hospital, and bill for same sent to hospital, but was returned on Feb- 
ruary 2Gth, with the advice that no whiskey had been ordered, and it was 
afterwards charged to the commissary department. On February 13, a 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 209 

gallon of whiskey was ordered from the saloon of Charles Vesmorisky in 
Bryan and charged to A. and M. by B. S'bisa.' 

"How much whiskey and cigars have been bought or paid for out of 
the commissary funds of the College, or what other "supplies" of this kind 
have been paid for out of the students' money, there is no means of knowing, 
but two boxes of cigars and two gallons of whiskey in four days 'is going 
some.' " 

Now for the information of the students who have attended the A. and 
M., I wish to tell what goes with the five dollars "incidental fee." Look in 
your catalog and see what it says is done with it — the catalog does not say. 
And it has a good reason for not saying; as it is at once transferred to the 
subsistence department. Here it is subject to the order of the President, 
and in the past has been used to buy his cigars, wines, beer and whiskey. 
My source for this information is Mif. Carson, the A. and M. College Treas- 
urer. A witness to this statement besides myself is Judge Hatton W. Sum- 
ners of Dallas. 

The committee then addressed the following communication: 
"To the Alumni Association of the Agricultural and Mechanical College 

of Texas: 

"Gentlemen: As you have observed from the press, the investigation into 
College affairs has closed, and the Board of Directors has made its find- 
ings, exonei-ating and sustaining Dr. Harrington. 

"The report of our attorney on the recent investigation speaks for 
itself, and will give you much information not revealed in the limited news- 
paper reports. Our connection with that phase of the matter is closed, and 
we make you this brief report of our connection with the entire matter. At 
a later date some additional report will be made. 

"When the so-called strike last February reached the point where duly 
constituted authority lost control and students began leaving for home, a 
committee from the Houston Alumni, together with President Law of the 
Alumni Association, undertook, with the approval of the Board of Directors, 
to preserve the student body and restore order and discipline; that committee 
knew nothing of the cause of the trouble, and agreed not to investigate or 
discuss said causes, but to devote itself purely to saving the situation and 
restoring discipline. Numbers of cadets left on the train on which the com- 
mittee arrived, and every cadet had surrendered his arms and was arranging 
to leave. A majority of the Directors were gone, leaving three to receive 
us. These three stated that they remained there only out of courtesty to us, 
that the situation was hopeless; that there would not be a cadet on the cam- 
pus in twenty-four hours, and no power on earth could prevent it, but asked 
the committee to go ahead and satisfy itself. 

"The four classes were promptly assembled by their leaders, and the 
committee worked all through the afternoon and most of the night. Early 
next morning many of the cadets were wavering. The Directors, who were 
constantly and fully advised of the committee's progress, announced that if 
only one student of each class could be persuaded to remain the College 
would be kept open. By noon about one hundred had pledged themselves 
to remain, and fully as many had agreed to return within a week. The 
cad\ets told us we were the first to counsel with them of whose disin- 
terestedness they were certain. We told the boys they were wrong in pre- 
suming to dictate to authorities of the College, and by appealing to their 
manhood and explaining the dangers of the situation, as affecting such insti- 
tutions, convinced them they had made a mistake in striking. We told 
them they must return, unconditionally, to their studies, and submit to 
proper authorities, and that we would use all honorable means to procure a 
full, fair and public investigation of College affairs. By concerted efforts 
of the Alumni and ex-cadets in all sections of the state, a large majority of 
the students were induced to return to work. 



210 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"When the cadets admitted they were wrong, not in submitting their pe- 
tition to the Board of Directors, but in striking, and took the pledge 
prescribed by the Board of Directors and Faculty and went back to classes, 
we considered the question of discipline was settled, and the strike ended. 

"The Directors expressed to the committee their unstinted thanks for its 
unselfish labors. 

"During all those trying hours perfect quiet prevailed on the campus. 
There was no semblance of boisterousness or gaiety, nor an oath or intem- 
perate expression, but a look of sorrow and grim determination was on every 
face. In every class meeting many young men broke down and wept as they 
declared they must leave. The President of the College was nowhere to be 
seen. 

"Then came the Houston meeting of the A. and M. Clubs, February 22, 
1908, at which the present con^mittee was appointed to carry out the prom- 
ise to the cadets. 

"Finally a hearing was procured, and the investigation has closed with 
the results stated. We feel that our case, in so far as it could be done under 
the rulings of the Board, was faithfully and ably presented. We did not 
believe, when the investigation was asked, and we do not believe now, 
that Dr. Harrington is a fit man for the high and responsible position he 
holds. No malice or spite prompted any opposition to him. 

"President Harrington came into power less than three years ago, under 
most auspicious circumstances. His predecessors had extended the equip- 
ment and scope of the College until it surpassed any other such institution 
in this country. A system of advertising the College had been developed 
through the Farmers' Congress and through affiliated high schools in the 
state that was calculated to largely increase the attendance. Everything 
connected with the College was prospering; everybody was contented. 
The Faculty had been carefully selected, and the graduates were in im- 
mediate demand in evei-y walk of life. Such were conditions when Dr. 
Harrington was made President. 

"In 1908 comes a pitiable, a shameful condition! The student body in 
open revolt, the patrons without confidence in those in control, and the 
institution itself threatened with division and destruction. Such an 
intolerable situation could never have developed under a wise and consid- 
erate administration; such disgrace could never have been visited upon 
the State of Texas under the administration of such men as Hon. L. L. 
Foster, Governor Ross or Dr. Houston. 

"We believe the interests of that institution are above those of any in- 
dividual, and that all those most interested in the College demand Dr. 
Harrington's immediate removal and the appointment of a President able 
to command the respect and confidence of his assistants and of the stu- 
dents. It is extremely unfortunate and regrettable to he last degree that 
patrons of the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College will be forced to 
place their boys in an institution of learning when disrespect of its executive 
head may provoke them to some serious offense, the consequences of which 
may ruin their lives and bring shame and disgrace to their parents. 

"The committee has endeavored to redeem your pledge to the cadets, 
and whatever may be the resuK, we have not ben swerved from our duty by 
criticism or praise. Respectfully, 

"JAMES CRAVENS, Chairman, 

"R. C. WATKINS, 

"H. L. WRIGHT, 

"E. J. SMITH, 

"C. C. TODD, 

"F. M. LAW, 

"F. A. REICHARDT, 

"R. E. PENNINGTON, 

"J. WEBB HOWELL." 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 211 

THE PATRONS. 

The patrons of the College were not satisfied with the decision of the 
Board of Directors. Messrs. Rugel and Cochran, the president and secretary, 
in accordance with the power vested with them at the patrons' conference at 
Bryan, called a meeting of parents to be held in Dallas, July 13. 

Those who could not attend were asked to subscribe to the following peti- 
tion to Governor Campbell, if it was in accordance with their views: 

"To Hon. T. M. Campbell, Governor, Austin, Texas: 

"We, the parents of the students who attended A. and M. College at 
Bryan, Texas, during its last session, being desirous of having our sons 
obtain an education at said College feel that under the existing circum- 
stances we cannot conscientiously return them there so long as Dr. Harring- 
ton is its President. 

"We do not take this stand because of any ill feeling toward Dr. Harring- 
ton, but we know and every one must know that to properly conduct an insti- 
tution of this kind those in authority must command the love and respect 
of the student body to maintain discipline. We as citizens and tax payers 
have as great interest in the welfare and success of A. and M. College 
as any class of citizens of this great State, but as citizens, taxpayers and pa- 
trons of said College, we respectfully submit that our interests and pride 
in said institution should be greater than that of any other class. You 
can not, therefore, doubt our sincerity when we come to you and say that 
we feel and know it is best for Dr. Harrington to resign. It is not necessary 
for us to go into a detailed account of the dissensions and troubles that 
have existed at the College during the past year. With all this you are 
doubtless familiar. Neither is it our wish to attempt to lay all the blame 
on Dr. Harrington but we feel and believe that the ill feeling existing be- 
tween the student body and Dr. Harrington is so deep-rooted no matter 
what the causes may have been to produce them, that there is no power on 
earth that can reconcile them, and therefore to return our boys would only be 
to renew the disgraceful conditions that existed during last year. Why 
should it be necessary to retain Dr. Harrington in the face of such con- 
ditions? It is said that it is in the interest of discipline. We say that it 
is for this very reason we ask for his rem^oval. He having failed to enforce 
discipline at the supreme moment, has forever lost control of the student 
body. It is unreasonable to expect that he can now, with the strong feel- 
ing existing against him, gain the love and respect of the student or enforce 
discipline. We feel that we as tax payers and patrons have a right 
to come to you as the Governor of our State. We want our sons to have an 
education such as only the grand A. and M. College can give. Many of 
us have been strained financially to our utmost to keep them there. To 
have now to send them elsewhere will mean an extra year at school for the 
boys, and therefore not only the loss of a year in their lives, but an added 
burden of expense to their parents. We respectfully ask that you give this 
petition your earnest and careful consideration and feel confident that you 
will take such action as will result in the greatest good to the institution 
we all love — our A. and M. College. 

"Respectfully submitted," 

Dr. Harrington immediately replied to this by sending a circular letter 
to each parent, in which he said: 

"As to the possibility of the recurrence of the difficulty next session,' I 
desire to say: 

1. "The rules and regulations of the College have been thoroughly re- 
vised and strengthened, and they will be strictly enforced. 

2. "There will be such changes in the faculty as may be necessary to 
produce harmony. 



212 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

3. "The Senior Class, which originated the trouble last session, will not 
be here. 

4. "Students who are not willing to accept the verdict of the Board and 
the counsel of parents are not expected to return. 

"I maKe no plea for personal justice. I would be willing to sacrifice that 
if I could bring myself to believe that it would be for the best interest of 
the institution, to which I have given more than twenty years of my best 
service, and which I love far more than I do my alma mater, the A. and M. 
College of Mississippi. 

"I wish to assure all who may be concerned that those students who do 
return in a proper spirit will be courteously, fairly and liberally treated, 
and that there will be no obstacle here to good and satisfactory work. If 
any should return for the purpose of continuing the trouble, they will be 
promptly dismissed as soon as their designs are discovered." 

His first reason for believing that there will not be a recurrence of the 
trouble, has reference particularly to the military regulations, and I wish to 
call his attention to the fact that the authorities in a large measure depend 
on the assistance of the students in carrying out these regulations. And to 
get this assistance I would suggest that it is almost necessary that the stu- 
dents have confidence in the authority over them. However, I do not wish 
to be understood as saying that the Faculty need not make rules that are 
unpopular with the students, and expect to enforce them. But that for a 
proper enforcement of all the regulations it is expedient that there be a 
certain co-operation between the authorities and the student body which 
every one knows has not existed since the trouble in February, and I do 
not believe it would ever exist with Dr. Harrington at the head of the 
Faculty. 

In reason two he says there will be such changes in the Faculty as may 
be necessary to produce harmony. This means that either the President 
will be removed or the ones that do not endorse him will be removed. Now 
the first meaning would undoubtedly prevent a recurrence of the trouble. 

But from the very tone of Dr. Harrington's letter it is evident that he did 
not have this in mind, but thought only of removing all those that opposed 
him. Such a course should it be pursued would be very costly to the col- 
lege, by the further loss of competent men, who have enough principle to 
stand up for the right, even though it threatened their position to do so, 
and such a course would certainly cause a greater loss of confidence in the 
school, the Board of Directors and the Governor, by all who have an interest 
in the College. This course would make Dr. Harrington an absolute dic- 
tator. A Faculty vote would be unnecessary as it would but show the will 
of the President. With such a man as Dr. Harrington has shown himself 
to be a Faculty subservient to his will, may be expected to literally tie a 
millstone about the neck of the College. The worst thing that the Board 
could do is give him what he calls a "loyal faculty," and it is to be appre- 
ciated that the Board did not follow this course entirely. 

Please note in reason three the first real acknowledgment of the Presi- 
dent that it was really the students that made this fight on him. "The 
Senior Class which originated the trouble last session will not be here." I 
am glad to note that Dr. Harrington has enough manhood to at last tell the 
truth. But it must be noted that since his third exoneration he did not 
consider that he longer had any need for the number of "gags" that he has 
been so long using to gain sympathy and support. An apology is now in 
order from Dr. Harrington to thosef that he has so falsely charged as insti- 
gating and controlling the fight on him, since he has literally been forced to 
eat his own crow about "faculty support" and such. Dr. Harrington has the 
thanks of the Senior Class (even at this late date); for clearing us of the 
charge that we were a "set of dupes to some selfish party who had our con- 
fidence and had abused it, etc." 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 213 

Reason four serves notice on the whole student body that they are not 
expected to return another year, in case Harrington should be President 
when the next session opens, as he expected when he wrote the letter. 

Dr. Harrington says "I make no plea for personal justice." I don't blame 
him, justice is the very thing he does not want, and he knows it. All that 
believe he would resign for the best interests of the College, please jump out 
of the window, — no, wait, I didn't mean it; I want you to tell me if there is 
in existence a measure* that is small enough just to exactly contain his in- 
terest for the institution, when it does not coincide with his own personal- 
interest. (I ask merely for information.) 

The Dallas Meeting. 

At the Patrons meeting in Dallas, July 13, practically all the patrons of 
the College were either represented in person or by the signed petition to 
Governor Campbell and an explanatory letter. 

Those present passed some very sweeping resolutions, showing their an- 
tagonism to Dr. Harrington, and demanding his resignation, as it would be 
impossible for them to send their boys back another session with the present 
management in charge. 

However, in spite of this letter of Dr. Harrington's, which he said he sent 
that the parents might "act intelligently," 350 of the patrons signed the 
petition to Governor Campbell: (there were 378 patrons when school closed.) 

CHAPTER VII. 

DR. HARRINGTON RESIGNS 

HON. R. T. MILNER SUCCEEDS 

When the Board met at Corpus Christi, August 7th, Dr. Harrington ten- 
dered the following resignation: 

"To the Honorable Board of Trustees of A. and M. College of Texas — 
Gentlemen: Deeply sensible of the uniform courtesy and kindness with 
which you have treated me, I realize that my continuation as President of 
your College may serve in some degree as an embarrassment to you. I 
therefore tender to you my resignation to take effect September 15, or at 
such date as may suit your convenience. 

"I desire to use this occasion to express my profound gratitude to those 
members of the faculty and other officers of the College who have given the 
Institution their faithful support in the interest of discipline and justice. I 
wish particularly to express my lasting obligation to my friends among the 
alumni and ex-students who have so loyally stood by the College in support 
of its constituted authorities. Respectfully submitted, 

"H. H. HARRINGTON." 

The Board immediately accepted the resignation to take effect September 
1st, and appointed one of their number to fill the place, Hon. R. T. Milner 
of Henderson. 

Through private sources, word of the resignation of H. H. Harrington 
from the presidency of the Agricultural and Mechanical College was re- 
ceived in Houston long before the official notice was given out. It is said 
that a promise of action was made some time ago, and the suspension of 
hostilities on the part of the committee from the alumni association was 
due to a knowledge of that fact. In regard to the change, the resignation of 
H. H. Harrington and the election of Col. R. T. Milner as his successor. 
Chairman .lames Craven of the alumni association committee made the fol- 
lowing statements: "The Alumni Association are well pleased with the 
change. We believe it is for the best interests of the Agricultural and 
Mechanical College. We believe Col. Mlilner is just the man for the place 
and that the Board has acted wisely in his selection. 



214 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

"As for myself, I am pleased with the change and will support President 
Milner, and I believe that the alumni will very enthusiastically support him. 
At any rate, they will be very much delighted with the change. 

"Old A. and M. is to come out now and be a greater school than ever. 
Every cause for trouble has been eliminated, and under the direction of 
Col. Milner we expect to see a greater A. and M." 

R. T. Milner. 

Robert Teague Milner was born in Alabama July 27, 1851. He came to 
Texas when very young and lived in Rusk county, where he was educated. 
He taught school for several years, and was editor of the Henderson Times, 
one of the oldest papers in the State, for twenty-five years. He was a mem- 
ber of the legislature three times — the Twentieth, Twenty-first and Twenty- 
second. He was Speaker of the Twenty-second legislature, and was presi- 
dent of the Texas Division of the Southern Cotton Association in 1907. He 
was appointed Commissioner of Insurance, Statistics, History, Banking and 
Agriculture in 1906. Mr. Milner was appointed Commissioner of Agricul- 
ture in 1907, when that position was created and separated from the other 
branches. 

Since this time^ his conscientious work among, and for, the farmers of 
Texas, has shown that he is their friend. He has worked extensively in 
furthering "Farmers Institutes," and it is through his efforts that the pro- 
ceedings of the Farmers Congress is now printed and distributed without 
'cost to the Congress. He has lately made a very valuable report on the 
cotton mills of the State. 

Mr. Milner becomes president of the college at a very troubled period, 
but there is no doubt that be can successfully man the situation. He is 
perfectly familiar with every phase of the trouble, and as each side of the 
contesting parties are extremely tired of the conflict, he will certainly have 
the undivided support of all concerned. They will rally about him and in a 
short time A. and M. will again take her place among the Southern colleges. 

The Resignation of President Harrington. 

Were it not for the cold-blooded language of the resignation of Dr. Har- 
rington, which is very characteristic of him, I would not go behind it, and 
question the cause of same. The very language of it shows that it was not 
willingly tendered, nor through any consideration for the welfare of the 
College, nor does he take the opportunity to wish the College well. He 
says to the Board: "I realize that my continuation as President of your 
College may serve in some degree as an embarrassment to you." Without 
stating my authority, I will venture to say that the embarrassment he 
desired to save the Board from is the embarrassment which confronted them 
when Dr. Gilbert and Prof. Hutson refused to honor the Board with their 
resignations after same had been called for by the Board at their Marlin 
meeting. 

Dr. Harrington took advantage of his resignation to express his pro- 
foimd gratitude" and "lasting obligations" to those who stood by him in his 
contest yet he absolutelv ignored the great mass of the people of Texas 
who opposed him, which again conclusively portrays the narrowness, viu- 
dicativeness and ungenerousness that has played so important a part in his 
undoing His last act was devoid of consideration for the future esteem of 
those who have, in the interest of the school, opposed his further retention 
as President. 

WHO HAS SUFFERED. 

- I have asked who would suffer from the trouble, and in answer to 
my own question I will say that among the ones to suffer will be found 
all that have had anything to do with the trouble. Dr. Harrington, prob- 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 215 

ably suffers worst of all. His whole life's work has received a stain that 
will never be removed. 

The student body has suffered. The patrons have suffered, the Alumni 
have suffered, the taxpaying people of Texas have suffered and in the future 
may demand that the great A. and M. College suffer still more for the lack 
of funds. 

The College community has irreparable dissentions, friends have been 
estranged. While again, the holding of similar views on the trouble from 
policy or otherwise has made friends of people that would not have been 
otherwise and they will yet live to see the day when the alliances will be 
regretted perhaps by both parties. 

A heavy hand has fallen on good old gray-haired "Grandpa" Hutson, in 
his own words, Prof. Hutson explains his situation as follows: 

"College Station, Texas, June 27, 1908. 

"After fifteen years' service in the A. and M. College of Texas, I received 
today from the President of the Board of Directors the following commu- 
nication: 

"Abilene, Texas, June 25, 1908. 
"Prof. C. W. Hutson, ^llollege Station, Texas. 

"Dear Sir: The Board of Directors at Marlin yesterday morning by 
formal resolution called for your resignation, and I was directed by the 
Board to advise you of the action later. Very respectfully, 

K. K. LEGBTT, 
"President Board of Directors. 

"This action, without charge made against me of any kind, consti- 
tute a fitting sequel to a series of unjust acts on the part of the Board 
of Directors toward me; their failure to investigate President Harrington's 
arbitrary and unjust exactions last December when called on to do so in a 
written complaint; their outrageous decision in February that in this 
matter the President was subject to no just criticism; and their recent 
complete exoneration of him after hearing once more a detailed account 
of his tyranny. Very truly yours, 

"C. W. HUTSON." 

This announcement was published in nearly all of the daily papers. 

The Post telegraphed Judge Legett, President of the Board about it and 
what did he say? He said: "I know of no resignations." 

What did the people say about it? The confederates. Prof. Hutson's 
old comrades were indignant. Many others rallied to the side of this 
fallen victim of Dr. Harrington's unfortunate administration. Prof. 
Lomax, Dr. Harrington's old "stand-by" newspaper reporter steps in, who 
has at least twice been suspended as correspondent for the daily papers 
of Texas for his manner of sending in biased reports, and many other 
times made it necessary for the papers to send special men to the College, 
and made it necessary for me, a student, to break the rules of the College 
and act in the capacity of a correspondent that the facts might be made pub- 
lice. What does he step in and do? After being elevated to the Faculty 
for both services rendered and for services to be rendered, while scouring 
the state to get students to fill the vacancies that are to be in the student 
body in case Harrington should be President when school opens — traveling 
on state money, receiving a summer salary, from headquarters in Fort 
Worth, he tries to stay the indignation created by the requested resignation 
of Prof. Hutson, by attempting to explain the Board's action by twisting 
and distorting facts in such a manner that Prof. Hutson had to make the 
following denial to the editor of the Post: 

"I would be obliged to you if you would also publish my denial of a 
statement made by your correspondent from Fort Worth in today's issue. 
He states: 

" 'The resignation of Prof. Hutson was asked because he was entirely 
out of sympathy with the Board and antagonistic to President Harrington. 



216 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

It is said that when the Board asked the Faculty if they were prepared to 
support the Board in its efforts to bring about a peaceful solution of the 
diflBculties and to restore harmony at the College, Prof. Hutson voted no.' 

"This is not true. The resolution read: 

" 'To the Faculty of the Agricultural and Mechanical College — Gentlemen: 
The Board of Directors having been advised that the corps of cadets is in a 
state of insurrection and have not attended classes since Saturday morning, 
and have furnished to the Board no sufficient reason or excuse for such 
action, we regard the situation as intolerable and one that must not be 
permitted to continue; we therefore direct the Faculty to proceed at once to 
firmly enforce the rules and regulations of the college and dismiss sum- 
marily all students who do not promptly return to their classes and sub- 
mit to constituted authority.' 

"This meant expulsion. I voted no, because I thought such an extreme 
measure unwise, and I said so at the time. The next day I voted with the 
rest of the Faculty for indefinite suspension — and the Board immediately 
recalled the suspended students! 

"There is no sense in having a Faculty vote at all, if a member is not 
to vote according to the dictates of his own .Judgement. 

"C. W. HUTSON." 
Who else suffered personally — Messrs. Neff and Evans, who had the 
nerve in February to testify to their disapproval of Dr. Harrington. Who 
else, was there another Faculty member? Yes, there was the highly es- 
teemed Dr. Gilbert, who with the good nurse, Mrs. Britnelle, was staying 
at the hospital day and night with very low student patients, having his 
meals brought to him when Dr. Harrington was making life unbearable 
for him. When Dr. Harrington's thirst in finding fault caused him to so 
forget himself that he entered sick wards with his hat on, smoking a 
cigar. The following communication from Austin, Texas, Dr. Gilbert's 
home, explains his fall. The letter was to K. K. Leggett, President of the 
Board and was as follows: 

"I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of July 7, replying 
to my letter sent you on June 29, and telegram of July 5. I had had no 
communication from Carlos Bee since the last adjournment of the Board's 
meeting at College Station, and of course could not know of your letter 
to him. Immediately upon receipt of your letter I 'phoned to Mr. Bee, 
and am just in receipt of your letter to him, in which you set forth the 
reasons of the Board for asking for my resignation, and to which I 
desire to make reply. 

"Referring to your letter to me, I will say that I am aware of the 
fact that in the past a number of well equipped educators who had rendered 
loyal and efficient service as members of the teaching force of the College 
had been summarily dismissed by the Board and no reasons assigned for 
such action, but I was not aware until the receipt of your letter that it 
had become a settled policy of the Board to adopt this unjust method of 
separating from the College those whose services were no longer desired 
by those in control. 

"I will not question the legal right of the Board to pursue such a pol- 
icy, yet I must say that it does not accord with my sense of what is just 
and right. The fact that conscientious men, well equipped for their life 
work as College professors have had this stigma wantonly placed upon 
them, thereby rendering it necessary for explanation to be made when 
again offering their services is manifestly unjust, and, in my opinion, will 
ultimately prove very damaging to the College. I appreciate the fact that 
an exception has been made in my case, and reasons stated for asking 
my resignation. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 217 

WHY RESIGNATION WAS ASKED. 

"You state in your letter to Mr. Bee (who was called by certain members 
of the Faculty to represent their interests during the last investigation 
of President Harrington by your Board, which finally so changed its char- 
acter that it assumed the phase of a persecution of several Faculty mem- 
bers rather than the investigation it purported to be) that my resignation 
was asked because, while a member of the Faculty I had written a cer- 
tain letter bringing grave charges against President Harrington, addressed 
to Judge John Hornsby of Austin, which communication found its way to 
Governor Campbell. 

"You and every member of the Board know the whole truth about this 
matter. 

"You know that this letter was to a closest, best friend and blood rela- 
tive. You know that it was a personal letter and that it was foreign to 
my purpose or intention that it should ever be given publicity. You and 
your board are thoroughly familiar with the reasons which prompted this 
letter, for I have explained it to you on more than one occasion. You, of 
course, know that President Harrington had in more than one case driven 
men from the College by repeatedly subjecting them to humiliation and 
insult. 

"You and your Board know that because I finally revolted against the 
long continued petty and tyrannical treatment to which the members of 
Prof. Hutson's family had been subjected, growing out of a rigid quar- 
antine ordered at the instance of the President, of a simple case of whoop- 
ing cough, that he threatened to prefer charges against me for disloyalty, 
informing me at the time that 'one of us had to resign, and that if he was 
not giving satisfaction aS President, that he would resign.' Just then 
an epidemic of lagrippe was raging at the College, and during the same 
time I was attending several desperate cases of pneumonia among the 
students, and from constant work and loss of sleep I was worn to a frazzle. 
For the first time since I had been surgeon. President Harrington com- 
menced a series of frequent visits to the hospital, and by his conduct 
made it plain that he was trying to find some peg upon which to bring a 
complaint against my official conduct; that in doing this he was not pur- 
suing his accustomed policy, endeavoring to exasperate me by insult and 
humiliation into a tender of my resignation. 

"In this he was disappointed, and since then, recalling his statement 
about resigning if he was not giving satisfaction, I have concluded that 
surely the President has forgotten this statement, for in the light of the 
universal testimony of every student and self respecting member of the 
Faculty, the message was carried to him that he was not giving satisfac- 
tion. He surely would act if he could but recall this statement made to 
me — but this is a diversion. ■ 

"You know that the information in this letter was disclosed to one who 
is a native Texan, an alumnus of the College, and a close friend and sup- 
porter of the present administration. You know that it was at the re- 
quest of this gentleman, than whom no one can be found more loyal or 
devoted to his College or state, that this letter was brought to the at- 
tention of the governor of our state. I have no apology to offer for writ- 
ing that letter, nor any statement contained therein. Incidentally, I will 
say that I was not aware that members of the Faculty were prohibited 
from discusiong College matters in personal letters, or commenting on the 
conduct of its President when such conduct was believed to be detrimental 
to the best interest of the institution. 

"In this letter I did state that the future welfare of the College de- 
manded that there should be an immediate investigation of the state of 
affairs there, and that in my opinion the conduct and policy of the Presi- 
dent would certainly result in the ruining of the College, and that members 
of the Alumni at Austin should be advised of existing conditions and im- 



218 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

pressed with the absolute necessity of prompt action. As you are aware, 
shortly after this letter had been brought to the attention of Governor 
Campbell he requested that you make a full investigation of affairs at the 
College for this purpose. You sought an interview with me. I gave you 
then nothing but the truth as I saw it, candidly telling you as one who 
loves the College (not thinking of my own position or my future) and where 
every desire to see it developed to its highest standard of efficiency 
in the interest of the youths of Texas; that its future progress, if not 
its very existence depended upon President Harrington's separation 
from it. I declared this then, and since that time I have had no 
occasion to change my mind. In fact, I made a candid and full state- 
ment to you of the conditions just as they existed, stating in de- 
tail the various sources of my information, and also all facts within my 
own knowledge. Some persons, foreseeing the action which would be taken, 
through fear of losing their positions, denied what they knew, and also 
that they had ever made statements of such facts as were within their 
knowledge, but you and the Board, in the superficial investigation then 
made, ascertained that these statements involving serious scharges against 
President Harrington had been repeatedly made by those in a position 
to know the facts, to others than myself. 

"During this investigation a number of the members of the Faculty 
and employes of the College were called before your board, and I felt then, 
and am sure now, that conditions were disclosed which showed that the 
administration of President Harrington was such that the best results could 
not be attained at the College while he continued at its head. For some 
reasons which have never been made clear to us your Board did not finish 
this investigation (my authority for this being a member of your Board), 
but rather precipitately, after only partial investigation, acted, and not 
only exonerated the President, but officially commended him for the success 
of his administration of College affairs. 

"In view of the fact, well known to you and your Board, that the arbi- 
trary and intolerant conduct of President Harrington has driven several of 
the most excellent educators connected with the College Faculty to resign 
rather than to further submit to the humiliation which they were con- 
stantly subjected to; considering the testimony of Faculty members and 
employes, and the further fact that the three upper classes had then filed 
with you a protest against the President, I must confess that in my opinion 
this action of your Board, taken under these circumstances, was the pro- 
vocal cause which led to the unfortunate strike which was inaugurated 
by as manly a set of boys as ever matriculated at any College. 

I talked with you and other members of the Board the morning fol- 
lowing the day when you abandoned the further prosecution of the investi- 
gation. You concealed from me the purpose you had in mind. You did 
not make known to me that you had arrived at a decision, or advised me 
of any conclusion you had reached. You said nothing to any of the corps 
of cadets, whereas I am sure that by the exercise of a little discretion, and 
the consulting on your part with these boys at that critcal moment, would 
have prevented in a large measure, if not entirely, the disorders which 
followed later. It rested with the Board alone to do this, but, unfortunately, 
you failed. If you had acted differently then, the subsequent difficulties 
might have been avoided, even though you had removed the President at 
that time. 

"I feel therefore, that the responsibility of this strike rests with the 
Board, or probably one higher in authority who inspired or directed your 
action, which could have been avoided with wisdom had conservatism char- 
acterized your conduct at that critical time. I do not feel that I have been 
in any wise responsible for bringing about this unfortunate condition, nor 
will I ever acknowledge any part of the responsibility for the existing cir- 
cumstances at the College. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 219 

"Information came to me before your last investigation tliat one who 
is prominent in the political affairs of our state, and who is close to the 
creator of your Board, said 'that President Harrington will be retained and 
Dr. Gilbert's resignation requested, even though npt a single student returns 
to the College for the next session.' 

"You will not believe it and may not understand the sentiments which 
prompt me when I say it, but I assure you that my devotion to the College 
is such that rather than deprive one Texas boy from receiving the advan- 
tages the College should afford to every youth in our state who desires to 
profit thereby, I would voluntarily sever my connection therewith. It is 
a matter of regret to me that the same spirit does not actuate others 
higher in authority, for it is now patent that the College is to suffer from 
the baneful effects of too much politics. 

"That your Board is but registering the desires of those higher in au- 
thority I have no reason to doubt, and have reached this conclusion with 
reluctance; but candor compels me to express my belief (which I pray may 
not be realized) that a heretofore splendid College has a long siege of 
disasier before it. For a time utter demoralization may prevail, but I shall 
indulge the hope that in the end we may have a return to normal con- 
ditions and its affairs again be conducted with the sole purpose of prepar- 
ing the sons of those who toil for the exercise of the highest responsibility 
of citizenship. 

"You and your Board know that two years ago, without solicitation 
on my part the position of surgeon was tendered me, and since the hour of 
my acceptance of that position I have striven to discharge every duty im- 
posed upon me, and have endeavored by loyal and devoted service to further 
the best interest of the college and every Texas youth attending the same. 

"In view of these facts, and the reasons set forth in your letter to Mr. 
Bee, in which you state you have based your action in asking my resigna- 
tion, I feel that, in justice to myself and for the good of the College, I 
should decline to acquiesce in your request. I will not honor your Board 
by sending in my resignation, and now so inform you that you may take 
such action in the premises as your honorable body may see fit to take. 

"JOE GILBERT." 

The letter from Mr. Legett to Carlos Bee, which is here referred to, is 
in part, as follows: 

"It is not expected that the Board will again be in session until about 
August Gth or 7th, and so far as I know or believe, no Board action will be 
taken with reference to Prof. Kyle. You understand, however, that I am 
not speaking officially, and only as one member of the Board. 

"Before adjourning at Marlin, the Board called for the resignation of 
Dr. Gilbert, but we did not expect to make the action public at this time. 
Of course it will get out, but we did not give it out. 

"The Board relieved Dr. Gilbert, as I understand, because he had writ- 
ten the letter to Judge Hornsby, which found its way to the Governor, in 
which he made an assault upon the character of the President. The Board 
thought that it was inexcusable in a member of the Faculty to write such 
a letter about the President of the institution while he was connected 
with it. This, of course, is not to go the public. I would write furtner, 
but I just can't get the time. 

(Signed) K. K. LEGETT." 

Dr. Brown leaves for reasons unknown to me. Others have fallen, some 
because their desires to assist Dr. Harrington in his troubles led them into 
pitfalls unseen. Others may follow but this is enough. 

The College is in such a condition that it is in the daily press of Texas 
characterized as a "foot-ball of peanut politicians." Such an insinuation 
as justified as it is, strikes horror to the .hearts of those who have had 
connections with it and learned to love the old College. 



220 HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

CONCLUSION. 
FAR-REACHING EFFECTS OF THE TROUBLE. 

In the future each and every virtue that we have contended Dr. Harring- 
ton does not possess will be rated at a high premium by all that have had 
any part in the matter, and our contentions for right and justice will 
most certainly play an important part in our future careers. Distaste for 
the failings of Prof. Harrington has been deeply fixed in the hearts of 
each student, and cannot but be beneficial. 

The contentions at the A. and M. Colilege will finally result in much 
future good to the College, nor will this beneficial effect be confined to this 
College alone. 

A great and wholesome infiuence will be felt by all the other Colleges 
in the state, and especially those that are run under the supervision of the 
state. The trouble will finally result in taking these institutions from the 
control of politics. 

For the years to come the affair will be a factor when selecting every 
College official. It will result in the selection of men for educational po- 
sitions who are specially fitted for the work they are to do. Men will be 
selected who are really in sympathy with their work, leaders of the gen- 
eration that is to be educated will be selected over leaders of those who 
have already received their education. Principals will be selected who 
are in no danger of being misunderstood, a virtue must be made evident 
or it will benefit none but the one that has it and then the virtue alone 
will be its reward. 

From now on there will be a feeling of fellowship cultivated between 
the management and the students that is sure to have a most beneficial 
effect on the education of the students. 

The trouble has evidenced that the new era of conscience is wielding 
an influence, not only among men in business and politics, but among 
the students as well, the ones who are soon to enter these fields. And it 
does not take a great deal of imaginative power to foresee a cleaner and 
more conscientious state of society, which is the acknowledged need of 
the present time. 

The thorns that are now in the side of society can hardly all be re- 
moved literally in a day, but do not you see in the stand taken by the A. 
and M. students, who have a great host of sympathizers in all parts of the 
state, a more probable solution of a number of abuses, than can ever be 
expected from exposures and legislation. 

The students are very sorry the affair ever happened, but they have 
conducted themselves in a manner that has not only deserved, but has re- 
ceived, for them unstinted praise as pure and clean-hearted gentlemen. 
Our conduct gained for us a following that was invincible. 

PROMOTIONS FOR 1908-1909. 

To be major, Rife, R. J.; to be first lientenant and adjutant, Furneaux, 
W. H. ; to be first lieutenant and quartermaster, Sigel, R. C; to be sergeant 
major, Symes, C; to be quartermaster sergeant. Smith, E. W. ; to be color 
sergeant, Ross, J. K. 

To be captains. Shearer, D. M.; Harris, D. B.; Gilbert, W. R., and 
Riley, A. A. 

To be first lieutenants, Horton, C. K.; Heldenfels, F. W.; Giesecke, A. C; 
Dibrell, Z. H., and Brannin, C. P. 

To be second lieutenants, Aldwell, R. E.; Cole, A. T. ; Weinert, M. H.; 
Van Ambergh, T. A.; Wignall, C. L.; Meerscheidt, L. P.; McMillan, S. A.; 
Schroter, A.; Huckabee, R. E.; Miller, R. F.; Ridenour, C. A.; Caldwell, 
J. J.; and Gresham, W. O. 

To be first sergeants, W. C. Crane, T. S. Wyche, T. A. Munson and A. L. 
Ward. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 221 

To be sergeant and chief trumpeter, G. F. H. Bittle. 

To be sergeants, R. G. Sherrard, L. Wade, O. W. Sherrill, F. H. Cun- 
ningham, G. E. Byars, J. L. Murray, J. H. Procter, R. T. Shields, R. S. 
Reading, W. D. Clements, H. G. Hynds, E. G. Lewis, E. P. Arneson, A. F. 
Dickerson, L. F. LeRoy, H. G. Mikeska, R. E. Adams, N. R. Rushmore. 
E. B. Burgess. V. H. Braunig, C. N. Bentley, C. M. Crockett, W. T. At- 
kisson, J. N. Singletary, J. L. Lockridge, B. Gist and R. Snearly. 

To be corporals, Wood.H. A.; Dunbar, A. L. ; McMahon, L. ; Millender, 
J. E.; Hanna, P. D.; Peter, L. S.; Ehlinger, G. E.; Wolters, E. J.; Mc- 
Annelly, E. E.; Palmer, H. B.; Hotthast, A. H.; Wilson, C; Pearce, R. B.; 
Briscoe, W. P.; Giesecke, B. B.; Stalnaker. A. B.; McCulloch, G.; McAdams, 
E. E.; Netherwood, J. S.; Wright, F.; Fitzhugh, L. H.; Wickes, H. G.; 
Sanford, C. E.; Gohlman, H. D.; Lindley, T. L. P.; House, E.; Spence, 
B. v.; Curtis, M. D.; Woodyard, M.; Moses, C. N.; Seward, C. L.; Brandt, 
O. F.; Sims, A. V.; Smoot, J. H.; Thomas, H. W.; Puckett, D. M.; Pro- 
bandt, F. B; Cochran, W.; Russell, C. W.; Marburger, A.; Herblin, L.; 
Kahn, S. D.; Nored, R. V.; and Christian, J. R. 

A FINAL WORD. 

In answer to rumors that are already afloat, I wish to say that the 
writing and compiling of this matter has been entirely at my own in- 
itiative and at my own expense. None other than legal advice has been 
asked concerning what the manuscript should and snould not embody. 
Neither have any others had the opportunity to go through the matter. 

Primarily the history was intended only as a remembrance to the ones 
who were implicated in the original "strike," but since the trouble has 
taken on a more serious aspect and demanded the attention of the entire 
state, it has been treated in a manner to meet the changed aspects. 

It Is Not the Students That Have Won. 

It is not the students that have won in this contest. Of course it is our 
contentions that come out victorious, but it was our supporters that swept 
everything before them. It seemed that our every act made things worse, 
and the less we done the better it was for us and for the principles we were 
contending for. 

Thanks to Those Who Have Assisted the Students. 

Without meaning any criticism to those who have for various reasons 
held views differing from mine, I wish in behalf of the late student body to 
thank each and every one that has been of any assistance to us in the con- 
test, particularly do I wish to thank the alumni of the College; it is solely 
due to them that I with forty-seven others were enabled to receive our 
diplomas. Since your appearance during February the students have en- 
deavored to conduct ourselves in a way that would show the State that the 
confidence you had placed in us was not misplaced. Next I will thank our 
parents who, after raising us to the estate of manhood, put confidence in 
our judgment. The moral support of the great mass of people of Texas 
has been fully appreciated. Last, but not least, I extend thanks to the press 
of the State. Some have openly sided with us, while all the rest have ren- 
dered us a great service by their unbiased reports of the trouble. 

And now that the affair has closed it is up to us to so conduct ourselves 
that you will never be sorry for giving the support that you have. Every 
student, past and present, is now hard at work to make the College greater 
than it ever was before. It must be enlarged until it will accommodate all 
that desire to come. The attendance, studiousness and discipline must 
steadily increase. 

Since every College man incurs a moral standing debt to his old College, 
the factor that follows up his parental training, in fitting him for a use- 
ful member of society, that develops his physical, mental and moral qual- 
ities, that broadens his views of life and of the world, and increases mani- 



222 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



foldly his capacity for enjoying life; that institution has a rightful claim 
to the gratitude and loyalty of its former students. I gladly acknowledge 
that debt and pledge my unselfish and conscientous support, without reser- 
vation to my Alma Mater, the A. and M. College of Texas. 

PAUL D. CASEY, B. S. '08. 



HARRINGITON 
AND HIS 

SUPPORT 

AS SEEN 




Harrington and His Support. 

The accompanying cut to me represents graphically Dr. Harrington's sup- 
port. Serenely he is resting on a Board of Directors who have agreed to do 
whatever they do as a unit. And of the four supporting columns, "Absolute 
Fairness," is over a hole and is therefore without foundation, "Integrity 
and executive ability" have been put out of service by the happenings since 
February; therefore the whole structure rested on the infallibility of the 
President, supported by the press and politics, thus stood from February 7th, 
six long, troubled months, and then collapsed. Harrington fell, but the 
Board remained secure, and raised one of their own number to the eminence 
of the presidency. 



'ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. 



H'Cnboj). 



To make the history complete at least a mention must be made of some 
of the many minor incidents, some laughable, others more serious, some to 
point a moral, others merely to adorn the tale; these, with a few letters, 
extracts, cartoons, sketches of the attorneys and a few idle thoughts close 
the narrative. 

Evident. 
"It seems that the young idea in our military schools are taught to 
'strike' as well as to shoot." — Galveston News. 



The Board Had a Boss. 

At Investigation. — A test vote on excluding evidence, vote goes against 
"Harry" — Judge Leggett "roars," "weak peteet" "I change my vote but 
will not change my opinion." 




AMCfu^^m^' 






^, 











In February, the Chronicle asked "Who is at 
the bottom of all this" 
Note. — The question answers itself. 



And Where Was Harry. 
Where were the farmers at the Farmers Congress when the lights went 
out? 



II. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



The Twenty Thousand Club. 

Perhaps the most important result of the whole trouble is the organiza- 
tion of the "Twenty Thousand Club." The possibilities of such an organiza- 
tion were revealed to Dr. C. P. Fountain by Inspiration, Saturday, February 
the eighth. And in the excitement of the moment Dr. Fountain, usually 
but affectionately called "Deac" or "Deacon," with his eyes uplifted, ex- 
claimed with vehemence, "The school can get along without you all; there' 
are 20,000 other young men in Texas wanting to enter the College." 

Since this time, he, together with his two 
trusty assistant organizers, Messrs. Lomax 
and Junkin have been steadily canvassing 
the state for members of the club. It has 
not been learned just how many members 
they have obtained. They will work all the 
summer in addition to the spring. Anyone 
desiring to join the club has only to say "I 
have a desire to enter the A. and M. College, 
send me a catalog." 

This club, if it materializes, is expected 
by its founders to take the place of the pres- 
ent class organization and thus revolutionize 
student associations. 

The progress is therefore watched with 
much interest by all learned men and espe- 
cially students of the old regime. 




DR. FOUNTAIN 

Originator of the "Twenty 
Thousand" Club. 



Commencement Yell. 

A-lum, Alumni, Alumnus, 
Patrons, A. & M., fuss, fuss, fuss. 
Cravens, Todd, and, Law! Law! Law! 
Anti Harry, Anti Harry, Rah! Rah! Rah! 



H. Cubed. 

Physics Prof. — "Now, will any one please tell me what H cube stand for 
m this, the most important problem of the year?" 

Student in the back. — "Sir H cube in the most important problem of the 
year stands for H. H. Harrington, and then some — . 



Did You See It, John Avery? 

Wanted. — By the students, a look at the "iron bound, copper riveted 
oath," of the Juniors, that the newspaper correspondent from College knew 
so much about. 



Ask Judge Green why he changed seats at the Goodwin Hall ceremonies. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 
Jewels. 



III. 



"Like Cornelia, the Roman matron, we point to our boys, and say, "These 
are our jewels!" — Hon. J. M. Green, March 28, 1908. 
Tune: No. 97, Gospel Hymns. 
They are going, they are going. 
To lose all their jewels. 
All their jewels, precious jewels, 
Their loved and their own! 

Chorus. 
For you know they can gather 
Many gems they would rather 
See adorn this old campus, 
Than the boys who are here! 

They can bring them from Domingo, 
Speaking any old lingo, 
Russia, Turkey, China, Haiti, 
(Or their own Prairie View!) 

Chorus. — For you know, etc. 
But the boys of old Texas, 
Whose free flag protects us, 
Won't be found where the grafter 
And toady are seen! 

Chorus. — For you know, etc. 



^-.^^i^' i^srr. 




What the students feel has been done under the false cry of discipline. 



IV. HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

Comedy as Well as Tragedy in the Investigation. 
(Houston Chronicle.) 

When the State of Texas undertook to investigate conditions at the Agri- 
cultural and Mechanical College it was not proposed to probe into the cir- 
cumstances under which Fernando, the horse with a pedigree, caused the re- 
tirement of Nathan Powell, the horse-loving preacher, but that was exactly 
what has been done. 

It was not proposed to make Pittsburg, Texas, the center of a political 
campaign based upon a psychological question, but that has been accom- 
plished. 

It was not deemed necessary to determine the status of events as applying 
to the general rules of home discipline and the "Raising of Kids," but none 
the less those elements have been injected. 

The boys are said to have run away with A. and M. College and. now the 
circumstances appear to have carried off the investigation. While the acts 
of well and favorably known educators, have been placed in the limelight 
and the tableaux of a cat and dog row on a college campus has been pre- 
sented to the state the serious side of the inquiry has in many respects been 
over shadowed in the side light of a laughing orb. The whole thing has not 
been serious to all of those concerned. A and M. has had its tragedy but the 
plot has much of the comedy element. 

The story of Fernando (who is registered with a number) was one that 
had been repeated before but not in detail. It was because the Board of 
Directors did not believe that the cloth of the ministry could be worn in all 
compatibility by the owner of a stallion, that Rev. Nathan Powell took his 
letter of conge. He departed from his stall — berth rather — in A. and M. to 
the pulpit of the Methodist church at Chappell Hill, where the sentiment 
was not so strong against the combination of a preacher and a plug. 

The plug was not such in reality. In his veins flowed the blood of equine 
aristocracy. The situation was no joke. 

Dr. Harrington did not seem to approve. He laid the whole matter be- 
fore the Board, but without recommendation. The Board held an inquest 
over the situation. Rev. Powell was given a chance to find another situation. 

But deep down in the heart of the minister there rankled a spirit of dis- 
turbance. That his Fernando (registered with a number) should have 
caused the trouble in which he found himself he did not like. 

"My bishop did not disprove," he explained. "My conference put no 
property restrictions upon me and I am a man of God. Abraham before me 
was a breeder of horses and here am I, turned out because I owned a stal- 
lion and derive a part of my income from his services. I was brought up on 
a stock farm, lived with horses all my life, know my Bible and preach the 
gospel. If Dr. Harrington laid all the circumstances before the Board I 
could not blame him for that, but if the Board turned me out because of the 
facts presented I stamp the members all as a bunch of mossbacks." 

That declaration was made during the investigation. The minister told 
the Board what he thought while all sorts of people were listening. The 
operating room on which A. and M. figuratively lay, was filled with those 
interested. They laughed over the throbbing body of the school because the 
story of Fernando (registered with a number) and laughed most heartily 
with each succeeding answer and question. 

Judge Tom Debenport came down from Pittsburg, Texas, to participate 
in the inquiry. There he is a candidate for the legislature and may yet 
raise his voice in the halls of the Texas legislature. The judge is known in 
Austin as having been at one time the representative of the County Attor- 
neys' Association. 

He wafted into College Station with the smoke of cinders clinging to his 
coat and the perfume of soft words on his breath. He stayed a day and a 
half, during which he sprung his ideas and wore a snow white neck tie. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. V. 

"I'm going to make a speech in Pittsburg," he announced, "and here 
am I." 

The Board treated him with courtesy. They listened to his argumenta- 
tive questions in which the manner under which the youth of the land should 
be governed was exploited. He believed in moral suasion rather than force 
and held that the President of a college was much like a father. 

Interrogating a witness he was marking the comparison. A patron was 
on the stand. 

"If you had been in school you would not have submitted to such inter- 
ference," he suggested, "would you?" 

The patron shook his head. 

"If your father had tried that game with you you would have rebelled, 
wouldn't you." asked the aspirant for legislative honors. 

The witness believed he might have kicked up some dust. 

Judge Scott was on his feet. 

"You wouldn't have your father removed, would you?" he cried. 

In the general laugh the Pittsburg lawyer resumed his seat. 

Along during Thursday afternoon Judge Debenport retired from the field, 
leaving behind the suggestion of psychological interference. From the in- 
vestigation he had culled the ideas he wanted and incidentally had handed 
out an interview upon the arrangement of the trees on the college campus. 

The college world as a subservient democracy was placed on exhibition 
along with Fernando and Judge Debenport. The situation, however, was 
more serious. 

Whoever it was that said the element of strength was not closely allied 
with that of justice forgot the theorism of college professors and the higher 
ideals of higher education. 

They say that in the event the boys of A. and M. get away with President 
Harrington they will have established a dangerous precedent in which the 
rule of the irresponsibles will have gained perpetuation. 

Now comes a professor, even though he be not one of civil government. 

"They couldn't," he explained, "because they would not have the support 
of the sentiment that has stood behind this uprising. Here we have a democ- 
racy in a smaller sense under the protection of the State. 

"The boys are not always able to govern themselves so they send Dr. H. 
(Magoon) Harriman to hold the palace and direct events. 

"In rebellion spring those of the subservient community. They are not 
in revolt against the powers that be but against the man that is. 

"They could not carry their campaign so far in the event if there did not 
exist some element of justice — enough at least to give reason for another 
side of the question. 

"Now suppose that they should take a foolish notion to make Rome howl 
every time their spirits gained the upper hand. Do you suppose they could 
do it? Not if they were in the wrong, because all Texas would be about 
their ears. They could not demand the resignation of any member of the 
Faculty whenever they wished because the State would not stand for it." 

The professor did not give out his interview from the stand, and as a 
matter of fact did not give it out at all. He explained himself in his own 
way, but not to be quoted, because even in a subservient democracy heads 
are chopped off and there is a living to make. 



Victory is to the Longest Winded. 

One of Harrington's friends: "Say, don't you alumni know when you 
are whipped. Why don't you give up? 

Alumnus: Because you will wear yourself out whipping us. Your vic- 
tories are more costly to you than our defeats are to us. 



VI. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 
Debate. 



"Still it seems that there are those who will rule or ruin." — Galveston 
News. 

"Be it resolved that the above statement refers to the Board of Directors 
and not to the students. 

Affirmative, Students. 
Negative, Board of Directors. 



Harry Calls for Help at Waco. 

Harrington— Papa, will you please give an order for — 

Judge Leggett — What, Harry, do you need more money? All the inci- 
dental fees gone Take about three dollars from each trust — 

Harrington — No, that's not it; some big bad boys at College have been 
writing mean things about me. 

(Judge Leggett writes a note and hands to Harry) — "Here, son, this will 
have them 'adequately punished,' " and pats him on the back, adding, "Now 
wade into them, — we are backing you up." 




The A. H. O. H. R. officiating at the dedication of "Harrington Hall. 



What It Took to Make April First What It Was. 

It took one man to plan it. 

It took one man to make it, 

It took one man to hoist it, 

But it took more than one man to down it. 

It took one minute to choose a captain. 
It took one corps to follow him. 
It took one hour to prepare for it. 
But it took more than one to stop it. 

It took one little building. 
It took one little hole in it. 
It took some brilliant speeches. 
But it took more than one to lay it. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



VII. 



It took one master of ceremonies. 
It took one Chief Executioner, 
It took one "hot air merchant," 
But it took more than that. 

It took one dead cat 
It took one tip-top weekly, 
It tooli one pint of sacred oil, 
And then it took the mortar. 

It took all day to have dress parade. 

It took us from our lessons. 

It took one day to "ram" us. 

But it took more than one to read them. 




Parade After Corner Stone Laying. 



A Former Commandant's Trouble. 

College rows of former times at the Agricultural and Mechanical College 
pale into insignificance when compared with the recent trouble. Mr. Henry 
Hackbarth of Sealy, cashier of the Sealy National Bank and a former student 
at the College, relates the details of a former smaller scrap. The incident 
happened during the Spanish-American war after the regular "bull" or com- 
mandant had been taken from the college by the Federal government and 
ordered to the front in Cuba. The United States army officer had been re- 
lieved by an officer of the Texas National Guard and the new wrinkles where- 
with he proposed to regulate the military end of the College raised a rumpus 
immediately with the boys. He proposed to have the cadets do all sorts of 
stunts that were unheard of during the regime of the regular army men. 
The students backed up and refused to perform, and after some exciting 
skirmishing between the new officer and his rampant command the matter 
was amicably bridged. Mr. Hackbarth commends the corps for its spirit. 



And are Surprised at the Deluge. 

It is strange that people rarely, when gazing on the stillness of back- 
water, ever think of the restlessness of the stream that feeds it. 



VIII. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



THE FARMERS CONGRESS AFFAIR— DR. HARRINGTON ATTEMPTS 

TO SEND FARMERS TO BED AT 10:50 P. M. IN THE DARK 

BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE AUDACITY TO DISCUSS 

RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING HIS BOARD 

OF DIRECTORS. 

Perhaps there is not a reader who has not heard something about Dr. 
Harrington ordering the lights turned off while the Farmers Congress was 
in general session, the night of July 8, while the Congress was considering 
resolutions in regard to the Board of Directors of the A. and M. College, for 
the evident purpose of getting the College out of the hands of politics. At 
the time I was in the capacity of a reporter for one of the leading daily 
papers of Texas, reporting the Congress, and for this reason I was very alert 
to everything that happened, and the affair was about as follows: 

During the first day of the Congress Mr. A. D. Jackson asked for the 




H. H. HARRINGTON, LL. D. 

Ex-President of the A. & M. College. 

recognition of the chair that he might present for the consideration of the 
Congress, certain resolutions concerning the Board of Directors of the A. and 
M. College. The chair refused to recognize Mr. Jackson, but he was requested 
to turn the document over to the resolution committee of the Congress. This 
committee evidently could not agree, as the matter was referred to the ex- 
ecutive committee, where it was "pigeonholed" by a vote of four to three. 
But this did not kill it, as C. G. Cloar, president of the Rice Growers' Asso- 
ciation, a member of the executive committee, obtained possession of the 
document and backed Mr. Jackson in again presenting it to the Congress in 
general session. 

When the program was over, Wednesday night, July 8, Mr. Jackson tried 
to get recognition, but was told that he was out of order, and that the next 
thing was the election of officers. Officers were elected and when T. W. 
Larkin of Denison made his acceptance speech of re-election as secretary, he 
started to read the resolutions passed on by the resolution committee, but 
was interrupted by Mr. Jackson, who in a very earnest manner pleaded for 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. IX. 

recognition, as he said the lights were soon going out. Mr. Kirkpatrick in 
the chair ruled that both Messrs. Larkin and Jackson were out of order, and 
that the announcement of the executive committee must be made. It was 
then that Mr. Larkin went to the back of the house where Dr. Harrington 
was and requested him to order the lights to burn longer. Dr. Harrington 
so promised. 

After the announcement of the executive committee Mr. Kirkpatrick said 
that he would now recognize the gentleman with the resolutions. 

Almost too glad to talk, Mr. Jackson introduced his resolution with a few 
remarks concerning the Board of Directors of the College, in which remarks 
he said there were five lawyers, a banker and a so-called labor leader on the 
Board and not a single agricultural or mechanical man. (Applause.) The 
resolutions were then read: 

"Be it resolved, That it is the sense of the Texas Farmers' Congi'ess, in 
eleventh annual session assembled, that a majority of any board of directors 
of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas which shall be hereafter 
appointed shall at all times consist of persons who are actively engaged in 
agricultural or mechanical pursuits, and who earn their living by such pur- 
suits; and be it further 

"Resolved, That the terms for which these directors be appointed shall be 
so fixed that the terms of two of them shall expire every two years; and be 
it further 

"Resolved, That these same principles should also apply to the manage- 
ment of the University of Texas." 

The house went wild almost and as soon as one could make themselves 
heard, Mr. Cloar moved that in view of the fact the lights were soon going 
out, that the resolutions be immediately adopted without discussion. Then 
confusion reigned, order was rapped for, a motion was made to table, but 
was overwhelmingly lost, although the few "Fs" almost lost their breath by 
making their vote long. Then a motion was made to discuss the matter (by 
a Central Texas lawyer). The motion was not objected to and easily carried. 
But Mr. Cloar who was recognized as the first speaker, hardly received recog- 
nition until the lights were suddenly extinguished. Confusion ensued, and 
amid the stumbling over chairs could be heard such cries and yells as "an 
outrage," "elect a new College President," "an insult to Texas" and numerous 
other epithets. Slowly the crowd made its way outside and started for their 
rooms in the dark at a strange place — but many did not go to their rooms, 
some went to the steam plant for an explanation, others discussed the affair 
until far past midnight. The report of the steam plant operator, Mr. Mc- 
Donald, was as follows: 

"My orders were to turn out the lights at 10:30. Burn them an hour at 
12 and again at 2:30, but about 10:25 President Harrington came over to the 
plant and ordered that the lights be burned until 11:00, as the Congress was 
still in session. But between 10:40 and 10:45 he again came to the plant 
and said that everything was alright and for me to "flash" the lights and 
then extinguish them. He left but returned in about one minute and de- 
manded angrily if the lights had been signalled out. He then left and I 
turned the lights out at 10:50. Immediately it sounded like h— 1 had been 
turned loose in the chapel, and here came a lot of people wanting to know 
why the lights were extinguished and I told them it was because Dr. Har- 
rington personally ordered them out, etc." 

Feeling ran high and it was all against Dr. Harrington, even his friends 
could say nothing in his defense, yet the next day they were out in full force 
"button-holing" and in every way possible trying to make up for the terrible 
error their "lord" had made. Newspaper reporters were approached and 
very grotesque explanations offered. Some of them who had come to the 
Congress partisans to Dr. Harrington told one of these parties, (Prof. Lomax) 
that the only thing for them to do was to have Dr. Harrington publicly ex- 
plain his own position. 



X. HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

This he did just" as soon as the evening session was called to order. A 
motion carried to take up unfinished business of the night before, — the Jack- 
son resolutions, — Dr. Harrington appealed to the chair for a personal privi- 
lege — was recognized. And he proceeded to nail as false the current reports 
that he was responsible for the lights going out while the Congress was in 
session. He admitted that he went to the steam plant three times, but his 
purpose was to see that the lights did burn until the Congress was over, and 
that finally thinking the Congress was in the act of adjourning, ordered the 
lights out. He explained how foolish it would have been to try to kill the 
resolutions by turning out the lights, and that personally he was in favor of 
the measure, but thought that it was an inopportune time to consider such, 
and that he considered such a law would be declared unconstitutional. 

He further said that he did not even know that such a measure was be- 
fore the Congress until the next day. In answer to a question from the 
audience as to his reason for believing the Congress was in the act of ad- 
journing he said he did not think they would want to be resoluting until 
midnight, and that he took it for granted that the steam plant operator 
would continue the lights anyway until adjournment. He also said his 
reason for leaving before the Congress was over was that he wanted to get 
to bed before the lights went out, and that he so told his wife after returning 
from the steam plant the first time. 

A motion was made and seconded to accept the explanation, but for some 
reason President Kirkpatrick failed to put it to a vote. So it was left to 
the individual to accept or reject the explanation, and to be candid, I must 
say that I failed to interview a single person who failed to reject, and they 
were of the unanimous opinion that he had made matters worse; and they 
further said that by his actions and manner of making the explanation, they 
had an insight into his unfortunate way of dealing with people which had 
made him "personna non grata" to the students. 

The resolutions were objected to on the ground that it was a direct slap 
at the present Board of Directors, and would in addition to creating discoru 
and confusion in the Congress, reopen the College trouble. 

The resolutions were adopted with an amendment offered by J. W. Walk- 
er to the effect that the resolutions should in no wise have reference to the 
present Board of Directors. 



Even the Publications Complained. 




"Heavy, heavy hangs the hand of 'Harry' over our heads," moaned the 
Long Horn and the Battalion of 1908, "save us or we perish." 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



XI. 




Harry's Bird. 

In the manual of ornithology of the 
Long Horn, 1903, where the charac- 
teristics of the College officers were 
voiced by comparison to members of 
the feathered tribe, we find the follow- 
ing concerning Prof. Harrington, then 
in the chemical department. 

"Falco Molecularis. In the chemical 
laboratory may be found this specie 
of hawk, a bird of a severe and cruel 
appearance, greatly feared by all. It 
is impossible for anyone who is afraid 
of it to catch it. But those who are 
bold enough to look it fearlessly in 
the eye can capture and even tame it. 
Answers to past questions are its fa- 
vorite food." 



The Battle Cry of Former Students. 

A. AND M., MY A. AND M. 
A tyrant's heel is on thy head, 

A. and M.! 
A tyrant aims to strike thee dead, 

A. and M.! 
An alien thy blood hath shed, 
And now almost thy life is sped. 
Because his path thou wouldst not tread, 

A. and M., my A. and M.! 

Thy sons are scattered far and wide, 

A. and M.! 
But can not think you've aught to hide, 

A. and M.! 
We stand in battle side by side, 
And with our strong Battalion's pride, 
Impeach the foe by thee defied, 

A. and M., my A. and M.! 

Thou hast been sullied by the stain, 

A. and M.! 
Of forced submission to the reign, 

A. and M.! 
Of one thou couldst not but disdain, 
For tyranny like that of Spain! 
Thou shalt be freed ere thou art slain, 

A. and M., my A. and M.! 

Tune: "Maryland, My Maryland." 



Who Wants Extremes. 

Among other things, President Harrington was charged with having a hot 
temper, and a cold disposition. 

Presumably, a man of temperate characteristics was desired. 



"Be Sure You Are Right and Then Go Ahead." 



XII. HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

•/A 




College Station, June 9, 1908. 
Carbonigraph Special, No. 23. 

Hostilities will be suspended long enough for the Seniors to get their 
Diplomas. 

— "K. C," Information Bureau. 



Several "Cases" Were Opened. 

[Carbonigraph Special.] 

S'bisa Hall, June 17, 1908. 
A "full" board is in session awaiting the opening of the "case." 

LATER. 

The "case" was opened by the porter, but found empty, while at the same 
time, but at a different place, the cadets on the campus were enjoying a 
milch punch, etc. 

"K C" Information Bureau. 

Harrington's Title. 

Director Leggett^"Mr. 'Herfonts,' I notice you call President Harrington 
'Harrington.' Please use some of the titles he is entitled to." 

'Herfonts'— "The Graf— !—!?***. 0000, minus 0, S ?? **** *** !!!!! 

Despo! — ? Tyran!! ?? 0. 11— 

(Here 'Herfonts' stopped as everybody had fainted.) 



HISTORY OP THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. XIII. 

A JUNIOR WRITES OF MOSES AND HARRINGTON. 

As regards the relative standing of the two chief men at the College, Pres- 
ident Harrington and Captain Moses, with the Junior Class, I give here two 
articles written by Mr. Huckabee in answer to a request for comparison of 
the lives of the two men. They were written immediately after school 
•closed. 

H. H. HARRINGTON, LL. D. 

Mr. Harrington was born December 14, 1849, in Chickasaw County, Miss- 
issippi. He is the son of Dr. J. T. Harrington. He was graduated from A. 
and M. of Mississippi in 1883, receiving his Bachelor's degree and later his 
M. S. The degree of LL. D. was conferred on him by Mississippi when 
he became President of the A. and M. of Texas. It must be understood that 
this is an honorary degree. 

He was made assistant Professor of Chemistry arid Physics in his alma 
mater soon after graduation. In 1888 he left this position to come to the A. 
and M.. of Texas, as Professor of Chemistry and Minerology. 

In 1892 he married Miss Florine Ross, daughter of L. S. Ross, soldier, 
statesman and Southern Gentleman, who was then President of the College. 

It has been said that he made valuable reports on the soils and matters of 
West Texas. "We do not question this but if he did do this, why was it that 
he and Dr. J. C. Blake, one of the best chemists in the United States, differed 
on the analyzation of the campus drinking water in 1907. Dr. Blake and 
Mr. Harrington each analyzed the water reported to contain typhus germs. 
Dr. Blake's report showed the water to be in a very bad condition. Mr. 
Harrington's analysis differing widely from Dr. Blake's. 

Mr. Harrington was elected President of a. and M. on September 8, 1905. 
Mr. Harrington did act toward the boys at first like a white man. But on 
April 1, 1906, when the majority of the corps were imprisoned in guard-room 
for "cutting" chapel, Mr. Harrington freed the boys over Captain Sargent's 
order that none should be allowed to leave the guard room until they had 
promised to behave themselves. Was this the act of a man who had the 
interests of the A. and M. at heart? Was it right to encourage the boys in 
their mischief by allowing them to over-ride the commandant's orders? 

We may see by the above that already he was losing his head as an ex- 
ecutive. Would the class of 1906 have written of him, "his rare ability as 
an executive," could they have foreseen this act? The class of '06 has also 
written of him "as a true friend of the student body." The Juniors of that 
year were Seniors the next. But is it not a fact that these same men the 
very next year set on foot a movement toward the removal of the President 
by the Directors? Strange, strange. What was the reason, had he changed; 
perhaps he had, or more probably they had only found him out. Was it ever 
a fact that he was popular with the people of the campus, or with the cadets? 
Ask the old graduates, they will answer you with the exception of the first 
part of his first year as President, NEVER! 

It has even been reported that he made mis-statements about a certain 
professor who is no longer here. He tried, it seems, to prejudice the boys 
against him. "Curses, like chickens, come home to roost." Is it not a fact 
also that he made an assault on a student with a shotgun? Did he not also 
call the same man, the unpardonable name? Was he not forced to eat his 
words? All these things are true; yet the Board say they hold him in high 
esteem and the Board are all honorable men. 

What defense can a man offer when he has favored certain cadets more 
than others, because they were related to men of high positions? Could he 
say that he did it because this cadet was influentially connected? Yes, he 
could; but would he? 

Did he not allow approximately four hundred boys to leave, knowing that 
the College owed each of them eight dollars and fifty cents without one word 



XIV. HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

of explanation? If he were a "grafter," it were a grievous fault and griev- 
ously hath he answered it. 

Did he not receive four thousand dollars per annum before he was made 
Director of the Experiment Station? Yet the evidence shows that after he 
was made Director he received three thousand five hundred dollars as Presi- 
dent and five hundred dollars as Director. It seems to me that he lost money 
on that deal. 

And another thing, was there not a great strike in February against 
this same man Harrington? We were accused of revolting against consti- 
tuted authorities. This is not true; we were against the hero (?) of this 
epistle. Did we not after the strike, receive the eight dollars and fifty 
cents that belonged to us? Was this not passed off by a statement to the 
effect that this keeping of this three thousand four hundred dollai's was an 
"oversight?" He must have spent a great deal of time figuring out how the 
College came by that thirty-four hundred dollars. Was he not hanged in 
effigy again and again and no effort made to find out the offenders? Was 
there not a great demonstration made against this man on April 1, 1908? 
Did not everyone one the campus know who these men were? Were the 
leaders fired? On that day a corner stone was laid to a little lime house 
dubbed "Harrington Hall," 190 c». Yet nothing was done. 

But when the Juniors published an article in the College weekly, "The 
Battalion," against a statement made by Mr. Harrington, did he not allow 
a month to elapse before any action was taken? The Juniors were called 
up one by one, all refused to answer. What then happened? At a meeting 
of the Faculty the President asked Mr. Nagle to take the chair and he, 
Harrington, made a motion that the editorial staff of The Battalion be in- 
definitely suspended. Cast his vote for the measure, read a paper purport- 
ing to be an order from the Board and demanded the support of the Faculty, 
and without his vote it was a tie. The Juniors were suspended. This hap- 
pened just at examination time. A demonstration followed. How many 
were caught? Not one man was punished while many were known. 

Must we put up with this man as President; must the people of Texas see 
their sons under such a one? It seems so, for the Board says he may stay. 
Let him stay then if you will, you Board, you people of Texas, you Governor. 
But let me say that A. and M. will be wrecked; let me say that many who 
would once have fought for the fair name of A. and M. will damn it when 
connected with Harrington. As long as Harrington is President, as long 
as one man of the class of 1909 is alive, this fight will go on, it may drag 
through years but the fight is on, the battle is not over. 

"And he shall go to his grave dishonored, hated and despised." 



CAPTAIN ANDREW MOSES, U. S. A 

Captain Moses was born in Burnet County, Texas. He was reared on a 
fa^m in that county. It was there on the plains of west Texas that he first 
learned to look the world in the face and be a man. He was taught in a 
country school and he also learned something of his fellow man. He next 
aspired to enter the State University at Austin, which he did in 1892. But 
his career as a Varsity man was cut short. In the following spring he was 
appointed to be a Cadet at West Point. Ex-Governor Joseph D. Sayers 
honored him with this, he being at that time Congressman from the Ninth 
Congressional District. 

Captain Moses graduated in 1897 from West Point. He married Miss 
Jessie Fisher of Austin, in September of the same year. Their daughter 
Miss Kathleen Moses is a very charming young lady who promises some 
day to make a young officer forget the mess-call. 

After his graduation he was posted at Whipple Barracks, Prescott, 
Arizona. 

In 1898 he was transferred to the artillery corps stationed at Fort Slo- 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



XV. 



cum, New York, and afterwards at Fort Preble, Maine. During the latter 
part of the Spanish-American war, he was stationed at Philadelphia as re- 
cruiting officer where he broke all records in obtaining men for service. 
Later he was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, and in October, 1901, received 
a captain's commission and ordered to Havana, Cuba. He remained over a 
year, being for the greater part of the time a staff officer. 




CAPTAIN ANDREW MOSES 

Commandant of Cadets. 

Then he was again ordered to Fort Preble, Maine. In 1905 he, with ten 
other captains, were ordered to Totten, N. Y. to take a special course in 
submarine defense of coast artillery. He graduated at Fort Totten and was 
then ordered to Fort Moultrie, South Carolina. He remained at Fort Moul- 



XVI. HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

trie until Sept. 1, 1907, at which time he was ordered to report at the A. and 
M. as military instructor. On arriving at A. and M. he succeeded Captain 
Sargent, a man who had been in the service thirty years, who had cam- 
paigned against the Sioux, who had fought the Spaniards in Cuba and achiev- 
ed fame fighting the Bolomen of the Phillipine Islands. 

Captain Sargent has written several very essential books and for four 
years he had occupied the chair of Commandant at the A. and M. College of 
Texas. 

Captain Moses was not as Captain Sargent, he had not had as much ex- 
perience as Captain Sargent, and naturally the boys wanted to find him out. 
They did and they thought so much of him that they dedicated their "Long 
Horn" to him. 

When the "strike" occured in February, when the students rose in re- 
bellion against H. H. Harrington, the President, Captain Moses stood between 
the warring factions as a man, a commander and a gentleman. 

During the first night of the "strike" the boys were "raising cain," yell- 
ing and shouting while the band was playing "Home, Sweet Home," "The 
Girl I Left Behind Me," and once they struck up the tune that is played on 
the foot-ball field, when we have achieved a triumph. It was the war song 
of the , A. and M. The cadets were wild, became wilder, fiercer, every 
minute, but the commandant appeared on the scene. The boys hushed 
and listened to him, the only man they would have listened to, other than 
a fellow student. He spoke to them and asked them to be gentlemen and 
not do something they would be ashamed of. He requested the boys not 
to get out the band instruments, as they were property of the State. He 
then thanked them for their attention and went to his home. 

The boys immediately gave nine "Rahs!" to the "Bull," a nickname 
for the commandant. 

The boys held a consultation and decided to go to their rooms and be- 
have themselves. 

The only feature of school-life that was kept up during the strike 
was the military part. Regularly at drill time the boys shouldered then- 
rifies and drilled for the commandant. For the commandant, did I say? 
No! They were drilling for Capt. Andrew Moses, a man whom they all 
loved and respected as a man, and an officer but most of all, a gentleman 
in every sense of the word. 

The boys returned to school after the strike. Later in the term the Jun- 
iors saw fit to correct a miststatement of the President's (which appeared 
in the paper) in the "Battalion," a paper published by the students. 

An investigation followed by the President's orders. Capt. Moses was 
one of the discipline committee. In all his questions and in all his actions 
tnv."''-d the members of the Class undergoing the inquiries to try to find 
o"t the authors of the article he held himself toward the Juniors as a 
n^an and as a gentleman. 

The committee not finding out the authors, the President of the Col- 
lege had a meeting of the Faculty and leaving the chair made the mo- 
tion to suspend the editorial staff of the Battalion. A vote was called; 
Captian Moses voted to suspend the boys. They were suspended. Har- 
rington's vote was the deciding vote. But the boys hold nothing against 
Captain Moses for voting against them. They see him adherring to his 
duty as an officer, as commandant and as a gentleman. The commandant 
is supposed to support the President in such cases. 

Commencement came at last and the boys were better drilled than 
ever before and showed up to better advantage. Captain Moses was re- 
sponsible for this; Captain Moses was responsible for this year turning 
out such finely drilled, erect and manly cadets. Captain Moses was re- 
sponsible for the excellent behavior of the cadets and again I say Cap- 
tain Moses was responsible for setting an example to all who know him as 
an officer, as a man, as a gentleman. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. XVII. 

I think we may say of him also: This was the noblest one of them all. 

All the men save one or two did what they did in self interest. 

He only with a general honest thought and common good to all, com- 
manded them. 

His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that anyone might 
stand up before the whole world and say: "This is a man." 



Director Walton' Peteet, a Strike Leader. 

In dealing with the striking students the whole Board was in a very 
delicate position, but foremost among them Walton Peteet was in the worst 
of all. He being a labor union leader, also an editor of a paper published in 
behalf of labor organizations. Mr. Peteet was the first member of the Board 
on the grounds after the strike and as formerly stated, he was the first to 
talk to the Senior Class on Saturday night, February 18. It was then that 
his old sympathies for the striker came to the surface. He showed us a 
gold medal for leading a successful strike and gave us every assurance of a 
fair and impartial hearing of our grievances, he also pledged the Senior 
Class his support in obtaining witnesses and evidence and stated that ne was 
almost certain that the rest of the board were of the same opinion. Enough 
for me to say that he soon found his mistake and that he was a hopeless 
minority and that he could not carry out his promises so what did he do? 
He left the College and was not present at the investigation. And it will be 
remembered that his name is not signed to the report of the Board of Feb- 
ruary. Some, however, do not think that this failure to be able to help the 
students in obtaining witnesses and evidence in their favor was all that 
caused him to leave. They have been informed that the labor unions re- 
minded him of his pledges as a union man to support the strikers. Anyway, 
he was in a very close place and his friends have had a great deal of fun at 
his expense, and he tells them he has two problems before him. First, to 
find out where the boys learned the principles of conducting a strike so 
orderly and second, to teach his men to follow the principles that were so 
evident in the student strike and which had caused no little amount of won- 
der and admiration from men who are acquainted with strikes. 



The question is asked. Why do all the strongest witnesses against Dr. 
Harrington admit that they have been the recipients of many special favors? 

This question may be answered indirectly by quoting from one of Dr. 
Harrington's "past friends." "Dr. Harrington will not have a friend if he 
cannot work him." Evidently a breaking point has been reached where 
more has been demanded of the parties than the parties consciences would 
allow them to do. 



What Probably Gave John A. His Promotion to the Faculty. 

"For any information regarding the appropriations made to the College 
and the expenditure of same, apply to Prof. Lomax. He is extremely well 
posted on this subject and declares that there is no possible chance for 
grafting to be done here. He is so full of his subject (or something else) 
that he even gives his English classes free lectures once in a while, to their 
great delight (?) In his enthusiastic praises of the openness and absolute 
accuracy at all money transactions here, his beloved "chancer" is for the 
time forgotten and he gives himself entirely to his pet theme. He will be 
delighted to give you all the inside information, although he seems to be in 
the dark to some of the very startling facts which were brought to the at- 
tention of the corps some few weeks past." — (Soph. Battalion.) 



A Matter of History. 
A country puts up its greatest show immediately before a collapse. 



XVIII. HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

The Board Bluff. 

During the strike while the Senior Class was in session a pretty stift 
"bluff" was received from the Board and a Senior exclaimed: "Ah! a bucket 
of "water" from that bluff would be a grander sight than Niagara Falls." 




Learn to Act for Yourself. 

I feel that a boy makes a mistake in ordinary events or even in unfore- 
seen circumstances, when he depends on his parents to do his thinking, even 
should he make a mistake he has his future before him and will profit there- 
by. While on the contrary if he takes an important step on his own initi- 
ative that proves to be the right, he will have gained that which so many 
lack — confidence in themselves, and their judgment. And a responsible 
judgment commands a remuneration far in excess of the labors of the strong- 
est, physically. 



He Only Thought He Was. 

A few nights before school closed the guard was assembled in the guard- 
room a short time previous to the posting of sentinels. Soon these was a 
lull in the conversation and the officer of the day said he had a funny dream 
last night. Of course everybody wanted to hear it, as people always desire 
to hear dreams in spite of the fact that the day of superstition has passed. 
He readily obliged them. Told in his own words it was as follows: 

"While studying last night I suddenly fell asleep, I seemed to be before 
the golden gate, and while enjoying the splendors of the sight I saw H. H. 
Harrington apply to St. Peter for admission. St. Peter asked him who he 
was and he replied 'H. H. Harrington, President and the whole thing at the 
A. and M. College of Texas; here are my credentials," (hands St. Peter 
Board endorsements.) 

" 'All right, you may enter.' A series of Ohs and ehms and ! ! * * ? fol- 
lowed from the guard. However, the O. D. continued saying, the next to 
apply was David F. Houston. He said he was the President and the whole 
thing of the University of Texas. 'Can't enter,' says St. Peter. 'Why?' ex- 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



XIX. 



claimed David F. 'Because you were the president and the whole thing at 
the University.' 'But,' says little Davy, 'you let Dr. Harrington in and he 
was president and the whole thing at the A. and M. of Texas.' And with a 
smile St. Peter replied, 'No, he wasn't; he only thought he was.' " 




Finally, amid the applause, the corporal made it understood that he also 
had a dream, and it was about the same personage, he said: "I dreamed 
that I had made a visit to the low§r regions and his 'Satanic majesty' was 
showing me around; finally we came to a spacious room, in the center of 
which was a large inverted pot, on which there were the three letters in 
burning sulphur H. H. H. My curiosity and pity were aroused and I asked 
permission to see my old acquaintance, but the devil extended a desisting 
hand and said, 'No! he might get out and all hell would be on a strike in 
fifteen minutes; I am keeping him under there until I get a carload of coal 
ahead and then I will let him start a hell of his own." 




The roars of laughter were long and loud, and until now no one has told 
why the guard was fifteen minutes late that night." 



XX. HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 

At the A. and M. We Are Fed According to Our Humor. 




The menu during the strike, March 
28, April 1, and when the Juniors were 
suspended. 



The ordinary menu of the mess hall. 
College Station, Texas. 



The Hittite replies to "Farmer Shaw:" 

"As for 're-opening' the strike case! There was never any 'case.' Every- 
body is gratified that the directory and faculty were so generous in their 
treatment of the boys, who were guilty of gross breach of discipline. It 
should be understood, however, that no such action will be again tolerated. 
Once admit the right of students to strike, grant the assumption that they 
have any rights but to obey, and pandemonium would reign in every public 
school in the State. Hereafter, whenever a student "strikes," some able- 
bodied member of the faculty, should with a strong paddle six feet long, 'bat 
him across the hurricane deck, make him 'hit the road' for home, where he 
can tell his 'ma' and 'pa' what a fool he has been. Then 'pa' should put him 
in the field between plow-handles, behind Beck and Jude, and force him to 
bring forth cotton, corn, pumpkins and other 'fruit meet for repentance' be- 
fore making another effort to improve that part of his anatomy located above 
the eyes." 

On the same page with the above extract, appears another, to-wit: 

"Everywhere the average A. and M. man is a wealth producer, a pioneer 
in new fields, making possible more and happier homes, and pushing forward 
every enterprise that tends to promote a higher civilization." 

"Farmer Shaw," editor of these two incongruous sentiments, forgets, per- 
haps, the sense of self-importance and the throes of ambition that shook his 
breast when he was a college student. Or, if he was never a college student 
himself, he is indeed unable to sympathize with the "boys" of A. and M. 
But the cause of these boys is right. At least, we can safely say, that the 
time will very soon be when might on their part can make it right. Youth 
hath its honor no more less than age. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 
THE ATTORNEYS AT THE INVESTIGATION. 



XXI. 



Judge Sumners represented the students' side of the controversy. His 
selection by the alumni committee was very fortunate. In handling the case 
Judge Sumners displayed consummate skill and unfeigned interest. At all 
times he treated the Board, President Harrington and his supporters with 
the utmost consideration. Prom the beginning he was opposed to making 
any but the "13th" charge, which was the charge about which all the others 
clustered. And is the only charge which the Board admitted outright in 
their exoneration as established. 




HATTON W. SUMNERS 

Wl-2 Slaughter Building, Dallas, Texas. 

During the investigation Judge Sumners did not have an opportunity to 
become acquainted with all of the cadets, but was very enthusiastic in prais- 
ing the student body as a fine body of promising young men who stick to 
principles in a manner that appealed to him. And it will be a pleasure to 
both parties if A. and M. students will call on him when in Dallas. 

Judge Sumners has recently come into national notice through an arti- 
cle appearing in Collier's Weekly for May 9, 1908. The article is written by 
Will Irwin, and is entitled, "The American Saloon," with a sub-title, "The 
Texas 'Clean-Up' From Within." Mr. Irwin makes the following remarks 
in regard to Mr. Sumners: 

"Conspicuous was their work in Dallas. Hatton W. Sumners, as honest 



XXII. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. 



an official as the city ever had, was elected attorney of Dallas county in 1900. 
Though handicapped by an old frontier law which gave him no right to break 
down a door in a raid, he made it so uncomfortable for the gamblers that, 
when he came up for re-election in 1902 they colonized voters from Fort 
Worth and beat him. In 1904 he came again on a slight reform wave. Tak- 
ing the offer of Adoue seriously, he wrote for help. The brewers sent up 
their detective bureau. Sumners, using it in his own way, went after the 
gamblers with all his might. He could not raid, as I have said, but with 
the aid of brewery detectives he did manage to get evidence before the 
grand jury, and to convict the local dealers of running faro and stud-poker 
games again and again. He made the business so sick and unprofitable that 
some of the gamblers closed their tables. 

"Sumners drafted, too, a strong bill for the State Legislature, giving the 
State permission to break doors, and making it felonious even to own prop- 
erty on which gambling houses exist. The bill passed the House and lin- 
gered in the Senate, and then heaven intervened. Jeff McLain, attorney of 
Tarrant, the adjoining county, raided at Fort Worth the house of a notorious, 
gun-playing gambler. The gambler met him at the door and shot him dead. 
And that very day, when Northern Texas was white-hot, the Legislature, on 
a junketing trip to Gainesville, fifty miles away, passed through Fort Worth. 
The legislators returned, put an emergency clause in the gambling bill and 
shot it through; a law so stringent and so well backed by public opinion 
was not to be defied. The gamblers moved on, and in one respect the de- 
tective bureau of the brewers found its occupation gone." 

SAM R. SCOTT, Waco, Texas. 

Judge Scott represented Dr. Harrington during the investigation. Judge 
Scott came in late, and it took him some time to get acquainted with the 
situation. During the whole trial Judge Scott's attitude toward the stu- 
dents and alumni was such as gained their unfeigned friendship. No matter 
how things went he was always jovial, and would laugh as big as any one 
when he would make a bust about some military feature or would get tan- 
gled up on some college phrase. 

The fact that he represented the opposition, together with his likeness to 
Bill Taft, did not keep him from being liked and admired by all that became 
acquainted with him. In talking over the investigation he says the funniest 
thing of it all to him is that he did not cross-question Jess Dale or "Grandpa" 
Hutson. "They were loaded and I knew it; there was no use in starting 
something I might not be able to stop," he says. 

Judge Scott says the A. and M. is a great school, and from now on he 
will take a deep interest in its development. 




The loyalty of the Cadets to the Football Team. 



HISTORY OF THE A. AND M. TROUBLE. XXIII. 



(From McCaulay's "Virginia"). 
"Ye good men of the commons, with loving hearts and true, 
Who stand by the bold tribunes that still have stood by you, 
Come, make a circle round me, and mark my tale with care, 
A tale of what Rome once hath borne; of what Rome yet may bear. 
This is no Grecian fable, of fountains running wine, 
Of maids with snaky tresses, or sailors turned to swine. 
Here in this very forum, under the noonday sun. 
In sight of all the people, the bloody deed was done. 
Old men still creep among us who saw that fearful day. 
Just seventy years and seven ago, when the wicked ten bare sway; 
Of all the wicked Ten still the names are held accursed. 
And of all the wicked Ten, Appius Claudius was the worst. 
He stalked along the forum like King Tarquin in his pride; 
Twelve axes waited on him, six marching on a side; 
The townsmen shrank to right and left, and eyed askance with fear, 
His lowering brow, his curling mouth which always seemed to sneer; 
That brow of Hate, that mouth of scorn marks all the kindred still; 
For never was there Claudius yet but wished the commons ill; 
Nor lacks he fit attendance; for close beside his heels, 
With outstretched chin and crouching pace, the client Marcus steals. 
His loins girt up to run with speed, be errand what it may. 
And the smile flickering on his cheek, for aught his lord may say, 
Such varlets still are paid to hoot when "brave" Licinius speaks. 
Such varlets pimp and jest for hire among the lying Greeks; 
Where'er ye shed the honey, the buzzing flies will crowd; 
Where'er ye fling the carrion, the ravens' croak is loud; 
Where'er down Tiber garbage floats, the greedy pike ye see; 
And wheresoe'er such lord is found, such clients still will be. 

* * * * * «** 

When up, the varlet Marcus, came; not such as when erewhile 
He crouched behind his patrons' heels with the true client's smile; 
He came with lowering forehead, swollen features, and clenched fist, 
And strode across Virginia's path, and caught her by the wrist. 
Hard strove the frightened maiden, and screamed with look agast; 
And at her scream from right and left the folk came running fast; 

Oh for that ancient spirit, which curbed the Senate's will! 
Oh for the tents which in old time whitened the Sacred Hill, 
In those brave days our fathers stood firmly side by side; 
They faced the Marcian fury; they tamed the Fabian pride; 
They drove the fiercest Quinctius an outcast forth from Rome; 
They sent the haughtiest Claudius with shivered fasces home. 



€f)e Hong llorn, 1908 

A few copies of the best Annual A. & M. ever got out 
are still on hand and will be sent C. O. D. for 

$2.50 

LEM ADAMS, Business Manager, 
BuDA, Texas 

T. J. BEESLEY, Editor in Chief, 
Tracy, Texas 



CHARLIE 

the: tailor 

BIDS FOR YOUR PATRONAGE 

WORK FULLY GUARANTEED 



Shop, just North of Gathright Hall 
College Station, .-.• .•/ Texas 





WHILE IN BRYAN STOP AT THE 






EXCHANGE HOTEL 






RATES $2.00 PER DAY 

J. T. MALONEY, - - Proprietor 
BRYAN, TEXAS 





^ HONA/ARD R. CAVITT'S 

DRUG STORE 



YOU WILL FIND THE 



LATEST MAGAZINES AND POST CARDS, SMOKERS' 
SUPPLIES AND ATHLETIC GOODS 

Bryan, Texas 



Can You Sell this Book? 

Good money to a limited number who will give a part, or all of their 
time soliciting orders and making deliveries. 

For particulars write 

PAUL D. CASEY, 

Tuscola, Texas 



FINE PRINTING 
BLANK BOOKS 
STATIONERY 
LITHOGRAPHING 
EMBOSSING 

ENGRAVING 
OFFICE DESKS 
CHAIRS, TABLES 

AND 

FILING DEVICES 




ENNISCARGJLL H ERM AN C. M ALSCH' FR AN K C. CLE M E NS 

PRESIDENT VICE-PRES. 6EC. STREAS. 



THE 

Cargill 
Company 



MANUFACTURING 


STATIONERS 



HOUSTON, TEXAS 



GOOD 



Positions 

DRAUGHON gives contracts, backed by a chain of THIRTY Colleges, 
$300,000.00 capital, and NINETEEN years' success, to secure POSITIONS 
under reasonable conditions or refund tuition NOW is the time to Gel Busy. 



BOOKKEEPING 



DRAUGHON'S competitors, by not accepting 
his proposition to have his THREE-months' 
Bookkeeping students contest with the 
SIX-months' Bookkeeping students of any other business college, concede 
that Draughon teaches more Bookkeeping in THREE months than they 
do in SIX. You can learn Draughon "s Bookkeeping by mail. 



SHORTHAND 



75 PER CENT of the U. S. Court Reporters 
write the shorthand Draughon teaches, because 
they know that by its use they can write 30 per 
cent faster than by the use of any other system and that their earning 
capacity is thereby increased accordingly. You can learn Draughon's 
Shorthand by mail. 



^^1 FAnftDIJlf About 30,000 more Telegraphers are wanted 
I tLtUKAl ll T ^" account of the new eight-hour law, passeed 
_MK^^_^^^^-^^_^_ by Congress, forbidding railway operators 
working more than nine hours out of twenty-four Railway wires are 
cut into Draughon's Telegraphy Colleges for students' use. About 90 
per cent of the Railway officials began as telegraph operators. 

CATALOGUE FREE For "Catalogue H" on Home Study, or "Cata- 
logue P." on Attending College, or booklet, "Why Learn Telegraphy?" 
call on or address 

DRAUGHON'S 

Practical Business College 



AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING POST OFFICES 



Nashville, Tenn. 
Washington, D. C. 
Dallas, Tex. 
St. Louis. Mo. 
Evansville, Ind. 
Atlanta, Ga- 
Paducah, Ky. 
Raleigh, N. C. 



.Tackson, Miss. 
Ft, Scott, Kan. 
Muskogee, Okla. 
Columbia, S. C. 
Springfield. Mo. 
Memphis, Tenn. 
Ft. Smith, Ark. 
Shreveport, La, 



Little Rock, Ark. 
Kansas City. Mo. 
Knoxville, Tenn. 
Ft. Worth, Tex. 
Denison, Tex. 
Waco, Tex 
Tyler, Tex. 
El Paso, Tex. 



Galveston, Tex. 
San Antonio- Tex. 
Austin, Tex. 
Montgomery, Ala. 
Jacksonville, Fla. 
Oklahoma City, Okla. 



Wf^t Pattalion 

THE A. & M COLLEGE NEWSPAPER 

PUBLISHED FOR THE STUDENTS 
BY THE STUDENTS 



After Reading Your Copy Mail to a Friend at Our Expense 

C. P. Brannin, J. J. Caldwell, 

Editor-in-Chief "Business Manager 



LOAN S 

FOR FARM LOANS AT LOWEST RATES 

AND BEST TERMS AS TO PARTIAL 

- PAYMENTS, SEE 

H.M.MlNIER&CO 

PROVIDENT BUILDING, WACO, TEXAS 



NINETEEN YEARS IN BUSINESS 







CADETS 






Don 


t wait 


until it rains to carry your shoes to the 


shop North 






of Gathright hall, to be repaired 







THE CHRONICLE 

Covers more completely the territory south of Fort 
Worth and Dallas, that is, Central, East, South and 
Southwest Texas, than any other Texas daily. 

The Chronicle's daily, sworn, average circulation 
is more than 23,000; Sunday, 30,000. 

Distribution: One-third city; two-thirds country. 

Agents in more than 300 towns and a large mail list. 

The Chronicle's circulation is guaranteed to be 
25% larger than that of any other daily in this territory, 
and its rates to be lower per thousand circulation than 
those of any other daily in Texas. 

These statements are substantiated by a recent re- 
port of the Association of American Advertisers and every 
late newspaper directory. 

The Chronicle has multiplied in circulation over 
fivefold in five years and has tripled its advertising 
patronage. Its advertising has increased 30% in the 
past five months and it has doubled its foreign adver- 
tising during the past two years. 

The Chronicle has the largest patronage of the 
department stores of Houston, which employ advertising 
men who are experts. The example of these advertisers 
is worth considering. 

For rates and further information, address 

THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE 

HOUSTON, TEXAS 



New, Modern Building New Furnishings 48 Elegant Outside Rooms 

THE DUMAS HOUSE 

R. F. DUMAS, Proprietor 
RATES $1.00 TO $1.50 PER DAY 



Centrally Located 

Sixth and Washington Streets \V7apn TpvQC 

Opposite the Court House ••• W dCU^ 1 CAdo 



BATTLE'S BARBER SHOP 

IS FOR THE CONVENIENCE 
OF THE CADETS 

Two Chairs^ — Will Not Open on Sunday 

College Station, Texas. 

McKENZIE, Jeweler, 

WATCH REPAIRING A SPECIALTY 

Will be glad to bid on Class Jewelry, 
Captain and Sponsor Presents. 

BRYAN, TEXAS 

■ VVpm|V|J%K| I PLEASE consider just how bad a fix a school in the control 
B I I t PI I III N * of appointive politics can get, by this recital, without any 
^ ■ ■ ^Iw I IVIV ■ argument, and then do your duty to correct the errors. 
"KG." 



Photograph and Kodak Supplies 

We are keeping up the high standard of work 
done at the CARTER STUDIO and are 
cutting the prices. ^ Kodak Hnishing for the 
Cadet and the Bryan trade a specialty .... 

WINTERS & SMITH, Bryan, Texas 



SCHOOkS&COLLEGES 

OUR SPECIALTY 

WRITE FOR PRICtSAND SAMPLES 

A.ZEESE ENGRAVING CO. "^^VIIaT 



Y. M. C. A. 



T 



At the A. and M. we have the best College Y. M. C. A, 
organization in the Southwest. Our volunteer Bible students num- 
bered four hundred and fifty men last season. 

Delegates are sent to the Southwestern Students' Conference 
each year. 

We get out a Hand-Book annually.' 

New students are met by the Y. M. C. A. Reception Committee. 



J,S. HILL& Co 

= Waco, Texas = 



PRINTING 

STATIONERY 

BLANK BOOKS 



OFFICE SUPPLIES 

LOOSE LEAF BLANK BOOKS 
FILING DEVICES 

BILLING SYSTEMS 
OFFICE ACCESSORIES 



AGENTS FOR 



SHAW-WALKER 



FILING DEVICES 



114-116-118 

NORTH 5TH STREET 

BOTH. ^r\ 

PHONES ^^ 



AiiG 20 l9C'a 



^ 






OF THE 



aiMC 



TROUBLE 



1908 



By a Senior 
CASEY 



^^ 






,////////« 



By a mere recital of facts, uv,vo.v. ^i .irgument, the 

purpose of this book is to start a movement that will 

result in the taking of the Educational Institutions 

and other Educational Matters out of the control of 

Appointive Politics. 



J 



